Rev. Julius Izza Tabi
Saturday, July 22, 2023
The overflowing cup
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” Psalm 23:5, ESV.*
In Psalm 23, David honestly expresses his experience of God by referring to him as a ‘Good Shepherd’ whose goodness can be stated as an overflowing cup. David’s human experience throughout his life has been a tough one yet through it all, the Good Shepherd was with him. As the last born of his father, he took the career of shepherding the father’s flock while his brothers enrolled in Saul’s army. In the wilderness he was exposed to ferocious animals like bears and lions that were not only a danger to the flock but even to David, but God’s goodness protected him from such animals, in fact, God gave him the courage to kill some of the lions and bears.
David’s shepherding career nearly made him to lose having been anointed a king had it not been God’s directive. After he graduated from a shepherd boy to a warrior and slayed the gigantic Goliath, conditions even became harder for him. His master, king Saul attempted to pin him to the wall by a spear but God’s goodness protected him. He had to flee not to the father’s house but to the jungles, even there, Saul followed him. Still the Good Shepherd protected him until he graduated from being a sought after ‘rebel’ to the Davidic throne in Judah. Although David had a long service as king, he was shaken by so many hard moments but the Good Shepherd allowed him to die of old age.
Reflecting on all these experiences of God’s care, love and protection on him, there is not a better way David could describe God than to use the allegory of shepherd-sheep relationship in which the former is the sheep and the latter is the Good Shepherd. He therefore declares God as his shepherd who in his goodness; prepares a meal before his enemies, anoints his head with oil and allows his cup of blessing overflow.
The shepherd-sheep relationship offered by God is not limited to David. There is an open invitation to all mankind allover the world to enter into the flock of God and become his sheep. Jesus revealed himself as the ‘Good shepherd’ who laid his life to offer an abundant life to the sheep. He said; “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” John 10:11, NLT.
Jesus laid his life on the cross so that we may receive “life in all its fullness” John 10:10, NLT. Other English translations render the phrase ‘life in all its fullness’ as abundant life. Life in its fullness or abundant life is one which experiences the overflow of God’s love, goodness and care—life filled to the brim. This is a relational experience which no one who isn’t in the shepherd-sheep relation will experience.
“God is good, God is faithful, God is generous, and God takes care of his sheep” Joel Ryan.
The overflowing cup is not a hidden treasure, everyone has an open access to it but those who desire and enter into a faithful relationship with God will have it. On his part, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life”—the overflowing cup. How you respond to this love determines your access to the overflowing cup.
We all must be the sheep that knows the shepherd, who knows his voice and are willing to follow him in obedience. Then like David, we shall experience the love, care and benevolence of God to that level when we can boldly testify of the Lord Jesus Christ:
You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honoured guest and fill my cup to the brim” Psalm 23:5, GNB.
Friend, I pray that you desire a relationship with God, enter into a relationship with him through Christ Jesus the ‘Good Shepherd’, follow him in obedience and he will surely let your cup to overflow. Amen!
Rev. J
*Unless indicated, all scripture quotations are from the New International Version, NIV Bible.
Rev. Julius Izza Tabi is a priest in the Anglican Diocese of Ma’di-West Nile in Arua City, Northern Uganda. He is a PhD candidate at Uganda Christian University and holds a Master of Philosphy in Religion, Society and Global Issues from MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society. Julius is the Director of Uganda Christian University Arua Campus. He is married to Oliver and with their three children; Samuel, Shemuel, and Shalem, the live in Arua, Northwest of Uganda.
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