My Cup Overflows

A Study in the Psalms: Psalm 23

Keller, W. Phillip. "Thou Anointest My Head With Oil..." A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1970. 114-126. Print.

Psalm 23:5b

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Keller begins this chapter reminding us that David, in Psalm 23, is going through a full year in a sheep's life.

He takes us with him from the home ranch where every need is so carefully supplied by the owner, out into the green pastures, along the still waters, up through the mountain valleys to the high tablelands of summer. (114)

The shepherd and his sheep are now in the summer range where the warmer weather brings flies and other pesky insects which can cause a great distraction for the sheep and bother them. Keller notes that sheep will "beat their heads against trees, rocks, posts or brush" for relief from these pests. If they are not taken care of, extreme cases can lead to blindness or death. Sheep can become panicked and frantic when certain insects are around. The shepherd must pay close attention. At the first sign of flies, the shepherd will apply a type of oil remedy to the sheep's nose and head. Once that oil is applied, the sheep are able to graze quietly and rest peacefully again.

Keller points out a great parallel to my Christian walk. These pesky flies are like those small annoyances which can become huge distractions that drive me crazy. I need an "anointing" of God's Spirit to calm those small aggravations and conflicts. I am in need of Him continuously to help me deal with daily frustrations that occur in my life. In Luke 11:13, Jesus says, "...how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

It is this daily anointing of God's gracious Spirit upon my mind which produces in my life such personality traits as joy, contentment, love, patience, gentleness, and peace. What a contrast this is to the tempers, frustration and irritableness which mars the daily conduct of so many of God's children. (118)

In addition to pesky insects, another problem found among sheep is a contagious disease called, "Scab" which is usually found on a sheep's head. The only effective remedy for this is an oil remedy. In some places, the sheep are actually dipped in this remedy; they are completely submerged in this solution, especially the head which is the area the disease primarily affects. This takes a great deal of time and effort.

This disease is representative of sin in my life. The dipping/submerging in the oil is representative of my sin being cleansed with Christ's blood washing over me. Most of the sin in my life enters through my mind by various outlets...other people, TV, internet, radio, etc. If I begin to fill my mind with information from someone who doesn't have the mind of Christ, my mind can become cluttered and clouded with ungodly thoughts. I need to be very cautious about what I allow to enter my mind.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 

This comes through a daily time with God as well as through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which I need daily and sometimes moment by moment to cleanse my mind and rid it of the disease of sin before it spreads.

I am so grateful for Christ's compassion and patience with me. I don't always allow the Spirit to cleanse my mind as I should. It's easy to just let things infiltrate my mind without thinking about them. I become desensitized to things that should bother me as a Christian. At times, Christ has to come in and apply "oil" to my life because I'm not aware of the damage those ideas are causing, and He knows I desperately need Him to cleanse them from my mind.

After David speaks of being anointed with oil, he states that his "cup overflows."

From a sheep's perspective, this sheep is fully content with the care of its shepherd. This "cup" in my Christian walk can refer to the goodness of God, but it can also refer to suffering. Jesus, in the Garden, prayed for God to take "this cup" referring to His death. In Christ's death, His cup overflowed with His life poured out for me so I no longer have to die. I will experience suffering and pain, and sometimes it will seem to be unending. However, no matter what I face or how long my difficulties seem to last, I can rest assured Christ, my Shepherd will give me the strength I need. This "cup" in my life can be filled to overflowing with His life and strength and power in me. My cup can be filled to overflowing because I know my Shepherd is with me. I can rest satisfied in Him. He will never leave me (Hebrews 13:5b). I can experience contentment and peace that only my Shepherd can bring even during my trials.

I want my mind to be filled with things that are pure, true, noble, right, lovely, and admirable. I want my "cup" to be so full of Christ's love, power, and strength that others see Him flowing from me even in the midst of difficulty.