I SHALL NOT WANT FOR JOY

…my cup runs over… – Psalm 23:5d

This is the pinnacle of the Twenty-third Psalm, crowning all the abundant divine blessings of all the things one could desire. With all of these blessings, how could I ever lack JOY? The Shepherd of my soul addresses my need for continual care. A full cup was an indication of abundance, contentment and JOY. When my cup is running over is my time to be joyful. My cup is not large enough to hold all these bounties, therefore it runs over – it overflows!

The Shepherd of Israel “brought our His people WITH JOY, His chosen ones with GLADNESS (Psa.105:43). Similarly, Jesus possesses the oil of gladness: “You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the OIL of GLADNESS more than your companions.” (Ps.45:7). He is the Good Shepherd who came with unlimited supply of “joy to the world” (Lk.2:10). In His “Presence is fullness of JOY” (Ps.16:11a).

Therefore, born-again and Spirit-filled Christians ought to be the most joyful people on earth. Ephesians 5:18-19 says “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 also admonishes: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

The secret of Joy is not discovered in the absence of trials, but in the Presence of our Shepherd. Irrespective of the trials or troubles we may be facing, we are to “count it all JOY” (Jam.1:2). To David the shepherd-boy who became Israel’s epitome of kingship, rejoicing was not an option but a compulsion. He “willed” to “bless the Lord AT ALL TIMES…CONTINUALLY…”! (Psa.34:1). Paul was imprisoned, yet His cup of Joy overflowed to touch the lives of people outside of the prison. He admonished: “REJOICE in the Lord alway: and again I say, REJOICE” (Phil. 4:4); and “REJOICE EVERMORE” (1The.5:16). Beloved, let your cup overflow with JOY in the Presence of the Shepherd of your soul!