My Cup Overflows

Editor’s note: Psalm 23 has brought comfort to believers since it was first written, read, and sung. In The Book of Common Courage, Psalm 23 is divided line by line and shared with photography, poems, blessings, writings, and prayers for your encouragement. Enjoy this excerpt! 

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Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine. — Luke 22:42 NLT

I will make them and the places surrounding My hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. — Ezekiel 34:26 NIV

Lord Jesus,

You pulled up a chair

to the table of this earth

and drank the whole cup

of human suffering and hurt.

We ask You to fill

the cups of our lives

to overflow with You.

Make us chalices of Your compassion.

Where the world overflows with hatred,

let us hold hope.

Where there is sorrow,

let us savor the sacredness

of every tear-stained face.

Where there is doubt,

let us spill over with grace.

For it is in emptying the cup

of our prejudice that we become filled;

it is in swallowing the wine of sorrow

that we are surprised by grace;

it is in drinking the dregs of doubt

that we digest a love stronger than fear.

Because You held this cup first.

Amen.

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A Poem from My Grandma, Jan Bass

I searched and searched
And could not find
A single place for rest
Until the hand of Jesus
Drew me close unto His breast.

He said, My little child,
I see in you no blame.
You are of My choosing. You’re the very reason I came.

I said, My Father God,
What with me would You then do?

And He said, Child, child of mine, I want only to love you.

If there was only you
And I knew of no other,
Still I would come,
That I could be your brother.

You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds. — Luke 6:34 MSG

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. — John 14:27

Living Water,

Your true being

brimmed over

at a table

full of fear.

You poured out peace.

You spilled out care.

Tip Your love

into our lives

and so make us

people who pour

love where there is pain

and kindness

where there is fear.

May we be filled

so full of Your grace

that when we are bumped,

Love will trickle down.

We thank You,

our Generous Friend.

Excerpted with permission from The Book of Common Courage by K. J. Ramsey, copyright Katie Jo Ramsey.

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Your Turn 

We believers, as we’ve heard often, truly are blessed to be a blessing! Think back to a time when someone showed you love in your suffering, kindness in your fear, generosity in your need… Let’s pray that God will show us opportunities to overflow with His love and goodness, too! ~ Laurie McClure, Faith.Full