Scripture for Today:  Psalm 116:12-13 “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits towards me?  I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.”

This ancient hostelry in Harwich, England may look unimpressive but it boasts a rich history!  Kings, queens. princes and nobility are among those who have stopped at the Three Cups since the 1500’s!  There are records of a previous building on this site with the same name as far back as the 1300’s!  The name of this establishment goes along with the old saying that to be “in one’s cups” is to be drunk!

In Scripture, the image of a cup is used with several different meanings.  In today’s verse, the cup represents salvation.  Lifting up and making known His salvation to others is the very least we can do for all that He has done for us!  He has saved us from our sin and His righteous judgement.  The second use of the cup image  represents His judgement (Psalm 75:8).  It is full of the wine of His wrath poured out on the wicked who reject Him.  But it is because of the third cup that we are spared.  The third cup represents the new covenant in Christ (I Corinthians 11:25).

Christ sacrificed Himself and took on Himself the wrath and judgement that should have fallen on me.  My cup would contain only the wine of His wrath for my sin had it not been for Christ paying my debt.  His salvation cost Him such anguish and pain as seen by His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Because of His grace I do not have to fear what is in my cup.  Do you know what your cup contains?

Thank you Lord, that my cup contains Your costly salvation.

 

photo credit to Harwich and Dovercourt at https://www.flickr.com/photos/harwichs/5820685642