Coffee With The Lord

A “Coffee With the Lord” repost today of my Bible reading from the “Necessary Food” Bible reading plan I developed a number of years ago…

My Bible reading this morning included Psalm 104, which I’d title, “An Ode to Creator God”

“What’s an ‘ode” anyway,” You ask? Well according to Webster it is “a poem in which a person expresses a strong feeling of love or respect for someone or something.”

What a marvelous tribute Psalm 104 is to the God who miraculously created and powerfully sustains everything… from the smallest sub-atomic particle to the seemingly infinite expanse of the galaxies and universe – from the smallest micro-organism to the largest living thing!!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent… O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures! … May the glory of the Lord endure forever! May the Lord rejoice in His works! … I will sing to the Lord as long as I live! I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord… Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!” (Selections from Psalm 104 – you really ought to read the whole thing!)

So, it seems to me you’ve got a choice when it comes to how things came to be: Either adopting a limited finite human explanation of all that exists or the explanation in the Bible: A supernatural, infinite, divine explanation of how things came to be (and how they continue to be). For me… I embrace the later view…

Here is how the Bible puts it…

Colossians 1:16-17 – “By Him all things were created – in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Hebrews 11:3 – “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”

“Com’on use your imagination!” … “Picture with me…! … “Step into this situation!”

Capable communicators use IMAGERY! So did the inspired Biblical writer of Psalm 103! Those who study the Psalms in the Bible speak of “emblematic parallelism” (An emblem or image is used to emphasize or teach a powerful, profound truth).

I read three of them today during my time of “coffee with the Lord” … They’re found in Psalm 103:11-13. Gotta tell you every time I read and reflect on this “emblematic parallelism” I have a powerful spiritual experience.

My challenge for you today… READ each of the verses, identify the imagery used, REFLECT on the spiritual truth the Psalmist used it to teach, and then RESPOND (let it become real, vivid, powerful and life-changing for you)!

OK… Here we go – are you ready? (I’ll highlight the imagery in bold font)…

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth” … (Think about it!)

… So great is His steadfast love toward those who fear (reverence) Him!”

“As far as the east is from the west”… (Do you know how many miles that is?!)

…So far has He removed our transgressions (sins) from us!”

“As a father shows compassion to his children” (Ever experience that from a parent?)

…So the Lord shows compassion to those who fear (reverence) Him!”

Wow!!! Let those truths sink in today! Com’on use your imagination! Savor the truth the imagery teaches! That should be enough to keep you going today! Enjoy!!!

A “sip” that is healthy for life in today’s world… “I will ponder the way that is blameless… I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless! … A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil… I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me;; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me!” (From Psalm 101 ESV)