Devotionals

Overflowing Cups and Brimming Baskets

by Cheryl Weber
07/31/24
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Do you look at your cup as half full or half empty? The answer to this question is said to determine whether a person is an optimist (cup half full) or a pessimist (cup half empty).

However, in Psalms 23:5, David declares, “My cup overflows with blessings.” NLT God is a generous God who loves to give (Jeremiah 31:11-12, James 1:5).  His great love compelled him to give his Son so we might live eternally and abundantly (John 3:16, John 10:10).  He pursues us with that love and goodness (Psalms 23:6) and even blesses the wicked (Matthew 5:44-45). 

John 6:1-13 tells us how Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fishes to feed a hungry crowd. The disciples distributed this miraculous meal, then gathered twelve basketsFULL of leftovers. Perhaps those baskets belonged to people in the crowd. How did their lives change as a result of experiencing God’s abundant generosity? What about the  boy who gave the five loaves and two fish (vs. 9)? Did these people go home and forget about this miracle, try to explain it away? Or did they tell everyone about what Jesus did for them?

We don’t deserve any of the Father’s rich blessings; they come through his great grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). The abundant life Jesus spoke of does not come through wealth, success, or pleasure (Luke 12:15, Matthew 6:19-21) although these things can be secondary benefits. True life grows from an intimate, ongoing relationship with Christ and a proper view of what the world has to offer (1 John 2:17). We will experience lasting hope and real contentment through the toughest times (Philippians 4:10-12, 1 Timothy 6:6-8). We overflow with joy and the “living water” Christ promised will pour from those who believe in him (John 7:38, Romans 14:17). We can then impart to others the Father’s abundance God has poured into our lives (Luke 6:38, Luke 12:48b).  

PRAYER: Thank you, God,  for your incredible generosity. May I remember to “count my blessings” daily and receive your abundant life that overflows to others. AMEN