XF.B. Meyer wrote, ‘Whatever the blessing in your cup, it’s sure to run over. With God, the calf is always the fatted calf, the robe is always the best robe, the joy is unspeakable, the peace passeth understanding. God’s way is always characterised by overflowing bounty.’ The last thing on earth we need to worry about is not having enough! Our cup overflows. 

Take grace for example: ‘…the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us’ (Romans 5:20 TLB). To abound is to have a surplus, an extravagant portion. Do fish worry about running out of ocean, or are birds anxious about having enough space for flying? 

The cup God gives you overflows with mercy. Are you afraid it will run dry? That your warranty will expire? That your mistakes are too great for God’s grace? No way! Before Paul encouraged Christians, he exterminated them. How would you like to live with that? Yet he wrote: ‘Grace…was poured out on me abundantly…’ (1 Timothy 1:14 NIV). 

In Scripture, the overflowing cup was a powerful symbol. So long as your cup was kept full, you were welcome. But when it sat empty, the host was hinting that it was time to go. If he really enjoyed your company, however, he kept filling it until it ran over the edge and down on to the table. Is your cup overflowing today? Is your table wet? That means: 

(a) you’re welcome at the table 

(b) your seat is guaranteed, nobody else can take you place 

(c) your needs will be abundantly supplied.

"To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place....

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. "

(Many of the reflections on each page are used with the kind permission of United Christian Broadcastors (UCB) from their FREE daily devotional - The Word for Today. They allow the publication of 52 of their passages per year and I find their messages apt and though-provoking for the times we live in.)

A Circle of Prayer around the world praying for and with each other, for peace and for a world in crisis. Please read more about it and perhaps join us, prayer was never more needed than it is in these times!

Praying all year round for the souls of our deceased relatives and friends, for the souls of those most in need of prayer and for those souls in purgatory who have nobody to pray for them.