THE CUP IN THE HAND OF GOD
PSALM 75:1-10
PSALM 75:1-10
Key verse: v. 8, “For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.”
Introduction:
There are various cups mentioned in the Scriptures. Below is a list of these cups, some of which deal with blessings while others deal with God’s wrath and judgement. Make no mistake man does not control his destiny as many think. His very life is in the hand of God and depends on what he does with the truth presented to him in the Word of God.
I. THE CUP OF SALVATION
Psalm 116:13, “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.”
A. The cup of His suffering, Matthew 26:39, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
B. Jesus determination to drink of that cup, John 18:11, “Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”
1. Jesus knew that His death would bring much fruit to God’s kingdom, John 12:23-24, “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24- Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
2. Finishing the work that God gave Him to do was foremost in His mind, John 17:4, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”
C. The cup of His suffering on the cross, Matthew 27:34, “They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.”
1. A drink given to dull the senses and make the pain of crucifixion somewhat easier to bear.
2. It was a diluted wine containing stupefying drugs, Mark 15:23, “And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
3. This was prophesied many years before, Psalm 69:21, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”
II. THE CUP OF THE AFFLICTION OF GOD’S PEOPLE
A. There are mixtures of mercy and grace in the cup of affliction, 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
1. God’s mercy, Psalm 33:18, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;”
2. His grace, Ephesians 1:6-7, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7- In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
B. Enduring the cup of affliction brings reward, James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
1. He who endures is happy, James 5:11, “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
2. It perfects the believer, 1 Peter 5:10, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
3. He is rewarded, Matthew 25:34, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:”
III. THE CUP OF GOD’S FURY
Isaiah 51:17, “Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.”
A. The portion of the cup of the wicked, Psalm 11:6, “Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.”
1. Hell is their final end, Psalm 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
2. The cup of the rebellious is a cup of astonishment, Psalm 60:3, “Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.” [Trembling because of defeat.]
B. When the cup of HIs wrath is kindled but a little, Psalm 2:12, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
C. It is dangerous to reject the One who holds the keys of death and hell, Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
D. It is smart to respond to the One who knocks at the door, Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
CONCLUSION
The cups mentioned above are all very real and the Lord continues to exercise His authority over this world. Many have pushed the Lord aside in their lives, but He continues to work in the hearts of men through His Word.