The Overflow of Who God Is
Be encouraged by today’s Scripture reflection and prayer.
Today's Scripture
Psalm 86:15 (KJV)
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Reflection
A few days ago I was making a pitcher of iced tea from a packet, and yes, it was one of those premeasured ones meant for a two quart container. The only problem was my container was a little smaller, but I still wanted to get as much water in as I could to make it right.
So I carefully poured the water in, watching it rise higher and higher. When I got to the top, I made sure it was filled as much as possible. It was so full that I knew if I added even one more drop, it would overflow. In that moment, I thought to myself that it could not possibly hold any more.
When I read Psalm 86:15, that picture immediately came to mind.
God is described as full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. That is not a small portion. That is not a measured amount like a recipe where you add a little of this and a little of that. He is completely full of these things.
There is no lack in Him. There is no moment where He runs out.
And when I think about that, I cannot help but look at my own life. There have been so many times where I have fallen short, where I have not responded the way I should have, where I have needed His mercy again and again. Yet through all of that, He continues to grow me, to mature me, and to show me His mercy along the way.
You can see this even beyond your own life. There are people who live as they please, who do not acknowledge God, who do not worship Him, and yet He still provides for them. He still allows them to live, still supplies their needs, even while they reject Him.
That says something about who He is.
We are all living under the overflow of His character. His compassion, His mercy, His patience, and His truth are not limited. They are poured out in ways we experience every single day, whether we always recognize it or not.
And just like that container that could not hold one more drop, God is not partly these things.
He is full.
Today's Prayer
Lord, I praise You for who You are. You are full of compassion, full of mercy, and full of truth. There is no lack in You, and nothing about You is partial or limited.
Thank You for the patience You have shown me, for the mercy You have given me time and time again, and for the way You continue to work in my life. Even when I fall short, You remain the same.
Help me to remember that Your character does not change. Teach me to trust in Your compassion and to rest in the truth that You are always merciful and kind.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Before You Go
It is easy to think of God in small portions, like He gives a little mercy here and a little patience there. But this verse reminds us that this is not who He is.
He is full.
That means His compassion is not running low. His mercy is not about to run out. His patience is not wearing thin. What you are receiving from Him is not the last bit He has left. It is who He is, completely and fully.
When you look at Jesus, you see that clearly. The way He responded to people, the way He showed mercy, the way He was patient and full of truth, all of it reflects the fullness of God’s character.
So when you think about your own life, do not measure His mercy by your failures or His patience by your shortcomings. Look at who He is. Because what you are receiving is not a portion.
It is the overflow.
Don’t worry—you can still catch up and be encouraged today.
Encouragement in the Storm
