1/30/06
Encouragement for Today
“My Cup Runneth Over”
Beth Ingersoll, Graduate of She Speaks Conference
Key Verse:
Psalm 23:5, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (KJV)
Devotion:
“We need to wash your hair tonight, OK honey?” I hesitantly glanced at my son as he climbed into the tub. Like many three-year-olds, Aaron doesn’t like washing his hair. Maybe tonight would be different. I thought. Maybe tonight’s bath wouldn’t be a battle of wills.
“OK Mommy,” Aaron grinned, racing his cars around the tub.
Aaron was true to his word. There were no tears, kicking or screaming, a good thing, since squirmy preschoolers are hard to control when they’re wet and covered in bubbles. His reward? I allowed him to play longer in the tub with his favorite race cars and old bubble bath bottles.
While I scrubbed Aaron’s hair, he busily filled an empty bubble bath jug with water until it was full and then overflowing out the top and running down the sides. As I watched the water streaming over his little hands, I realized that God watches us in much the same way. He is an adoring Father, watching over His children every day. He hopes that we will live according to His will and not our own. He hopes that we will obey what He tells us in His Word. He hopes that we will see His truth and embrace it in our lives without kicking, screaming and crying. He just wants us to listen and trust Him. He desires to anoint our heads and fill our cups to overflowing with the living Water of Jesus.
When we are obedient and do what He asks, God rewards us. And, while more time in the bath sounds like a good reward to me, He blesses us in so many other ways that they are too numerous to count. My blessing today was having God’s truth revealed to me through my son’s innocent play.
Anyone watching would have thought I was crazy if they had seen the smile I had on my face that night as I watched Aaron play. But you know what? I think God wore that same smile as He watched me too.
My Prayer for Today:
Dear God, help me today to have faith in You. Teach me to trust You, even when I am afraid. Help me to remember that You always have my best interests at heart, and that my cup will run over with blessings if I just believe and obey You. In Your Precious and Holy Name, Jesus, Amen.
Application Steps:
Write down on a piece of paper some things in your life that you’ve been struggling with on a daily basis. Jot down how you can step out in faith, even though you are afraid of the unknown. Give it over to God and see what He can do with your worry and uncertainty. Commit today to let God handle your situation and leave it at the foot of the Cross.
Reflection Points:
Do you believe in your heart that God knows what is best for you?
Can you truly say that you trust God with everything?
Have you ever given something over to God? If so, what happened as a result? If not, why?
Power Verses:
Psalm 31:14, “But I trust in you, O Lord: I say, “You are my God’” (NIV)
Psalm 37:3-4, “Trust in the Lord and do good: dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (NIV)
Additional Resources
Out of the Mouths of Babes, by Wendy Pope
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_mouthBabes.htm
Living Life on Purpose, by Lysa TerKeurst
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_livingLife.htm
Journey of a Woman’s Heart (4-tape set), by Renee Swope
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_journeyWoman.htm
Originally published Monday, 30 January 2006.
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