August 31, 2022

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 23:5

Have you ever met somebody that manages to think of others during a deep personal crisis? One of the privileges of Gospel ministry is sitting with people like this, who manage to inquire as to how they can pray for you while their’ own life is crumbling around them. One of my first solo hospital visits as a Pastoral Intern at Cascade Presbyterian Church was with an elderly woman at the early stages of dying. She was very patient with me as I read this psalm and prayed for her. Amens were said, hands unfolded and eyes opened when she told me that she was ready to meet the LORD. In hindsight, I’m pretty sure she knew that I was more uncomfortable with the situation than she was. In any case, she proceeded to talk about her life and walk with Jesus, not so much to bolster her own confidence, but to increase mine. She possessed the comfort of anointing that verse 5b alludes to - and I, humbly, benefitted from her overflowing cup. Since then, that conversation has served as a powerful reminder that God “over pours” his grace out on us, so that his sufficiency would address our needs and extend to the folks around us for his Glory.

Lord - give us confidence in your goodness so that we might see ourselves as overflowing vessels of blessing for the people you have called around us!

-Matt Allhands