Cup of blessing

Any nation that claims to be a 'Nation under God' will at times have its heart revealed. (Matthew 25:32, Luke 12:48).

Psalm 75:8. In Gods hand there is a cup of mixed wine. It is his judgment (crisis of accountability), poured out upon the ungodly of the earth. They must drain that cup to the dregs. The psalms speak of a number of cups in the Lord’s hands – There is a cup of salvation (Psalm 116:13), and a cup of blessing (Psalm 23).

But psalm 60 says that before the cup of blessing and salvation there will come another cup. Psalm 60:2 O God, You have cast us off; You have broken us down; You have been displeased; Oh, restore us again! You have made the earth tremble; You have broken it; Heal its breaches, for it is shaking. You have shown Your people hard things; You have made us drink the wine of humiliation and confusion. You have given to those who fear You an unfurled flag, that it may be displayed because of the truth.

God’s judgment (crisis of accountability) is for the purpose of redemption, not punishment. The Chinese character for crisis has two elements; one is danger and the other is opportunity. The danger is being manifest right now, in the polarity and conflict seen in the global media warfare that is taking place, particularly in the USA. There is also opportunity for God’s grace of salvation and blessing as God disciplines a nation under God to bring his love and truth to them. God wants to get people to trust him but he has to disrupt their trust in man and in self so that they will call on his name, and so receive His salvation and blessing.

Psalm 23 establishes prophetically the Lordship of Jesus not as a Lord and servant relationship but a shepherd and sheep relationship. The psalm starts with the Chief Shepherd caring for his flock, and then finishes with his people being blessed with the cup of blessing in his own house, around his own table, forever.

PSALM 23 The first four verses are his cup of salvation message and the last two are his cup of blessing message

Psalm 23 – THE CUP RUNS OVER.

SALVATION 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want

2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures - He leads me beside the still waters

3.He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake

4.Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

BLESSING

5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.