“O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” Psalm 16:5-6 (NKJV)
When life is tough, we find ourselves on our knees. We seek help and reassurance in prayer. But what if I said it was more important to seek God even on the good days? This is because you cannot pour from an empty cup. And God alone fills our cup.
Not only does God fill our cup, but the Bible tells us, “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.” (Psalm 16:5, NIV) The Hebrew word for “portion” is gō-w-rā-li, which can be translated as inheritance, gift, or allotment. The Hebrew word for “cup” is kowsi and means the circumstances or condition of a person’s life. So this phrase means God gives us good in life. This verse is also a metaphor for a feast and implies God is our refreshment and the sustenance of our soul.
Thus, it is imperative to continually fill and sustain our souls with God’s presence, love, and power. So later, when we face trials in life, we will have so much flowing through our veins that we will never be dehydrated. Just as Jesus said to the woman at the well, “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again” (John 4:14, ESV).
Friend, I do not say this lightly. Sometimes, I get so into the rhythm and flow of my life that I forget to seek God unless I need Him. After all, I have a schedule, a to-do-list, and well . . . no excuse. But then I get impatient and a bit snippy with my husband or coworker. And I remember, “the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart” (Matthew 15:18, NIV). And I know it’s because I haven’t filled my heart with God.
How do we fill ourselves, then?
- Seek God daily and allow God to pour His love into us through the Holy Spirit. “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5, ESV).
Be like David, who said, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1-8, ESV).
Pray in the morning. Thank God for a new day. Ask Him to be with you and to guide you.
Pray throughout the day: while you are driving, as people and things pop into your mind, as your to-do list grows, when you need a little pick me up, when something great happens, and when you just feel the need to give Him praise, whenever!!!
Pray in the evening: thank Him for all He’s provided, and ask for peaceful sleep.
- Read God’s Word.
Reading the Bible teaches us about God and His character. It shows us how much God loves us, reminds us who we are through Christ, and reveals all His promises for us. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (Timothy 3:16-17, NIV).
Friend, when we nurture our relationship with God, He will pour favor into our cup. In fact, He will fill our cups to overflowing. Then, we’ll always have an abundance of His love. We will have so much love that we can freely give it to those around us.
Dear Heavenly Father, Your word says, “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” (Psalm 105:4, ESV). Please help me remember to seek You and read Your Word daily so You can overflow my cup with Your love. Then, help me give it to others. In Jesus’ Name Amen
For Further Study:
Bible Verses About Seeking God
