Thursday, January 18, 2018

OVERFLOWING

In Psalm 23:5-6, we read: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

“I’m sorry, Grandfather. I’ll clean it up.” Water from the overturned cup puddled on the table.

“No problem, Timmy. That reminds me. Have time for a story?” Timmy smiled.

“The guest sat at the table, his hands sweaty. ‘I shouldn’t have come. I’ve been unkind, downright mean, to my host." He’d left him on the side of the road, robbed and beaten, not wanting to get involved. Another time, he’d not dropped one coin into the cup of the crippled beggar. And I was going to the temple to worship? What’s the use? I don’t deserve him as a friend.

“Dinner over, he watched as his host reached for his now empty cup. He began to fill it. A half-full cup meant dismissal.

"One quarter full, one half full, then overflowing. He looked into the face of his host and saw acceptance. Even more, he saw a smile that began in his eyes and transformed his face. The smile became light that filled the guest. No. No longer a guest. A member of the family.”

“Wait a minute, Grandfather. Is this some fairy tale?”

“No, Timmy. It may sound like one but it’s true. When the Lord Jesus came, He prepared a table for me in the presence of my enemies. He anointed my head with oil. My cup ran over. And I love this part. Surely, not maybe, goodness and mercy--.”

“Grandfather, how do you know this? How if...”

“There’re no ‘how ifs’ in this story. The Lord invited me to come to Him. When I accepted His invitation, He came into my life. Made me one of His.”

“But I don’t understand. I’m not good. How can He love me?”

“None of us are good or deserve His love. He loves us because He is love.”

Timmy held his empty cup. “Fill it to overflowing, Grandfather.” He bowed his head. “Lord Jesus, please fill my love cup.”

Kingdom Thinking. I choose to receive this gift. Not because I deserve it, but because the Lord Jesus freely offers it to me. He prepares, He anoints, He fills my cup. He promises never to leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come?