Coffee With The Lord

What you are about to read is not a political statement … It is a personal position…

I grieve that the term “compassionate conservative” has been maligned unjustly (it is a good term)! I must tell you, more than being a “fiscal conservative” or a “political conservative” I am a “social conservative.” I believe the Bible teaches it! I read the following passage today during my time of “coffee with the Lord” and embrace wholeheartedly what it teaches…

“God has taken His place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods He holds judgment: ‘How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.'” (From Psalm 82:1-4 ESV)

I jotted this personal message in the margin of my Bible by those verses today: “Where there is genuine need, I want to be generous and do my best to meet it! Where there is real injustice, I want to defend those who have been wronged and do what I can to advocate justice for them. Where sin is rampant, I want to live a godly life and share the life-transforming Gospel. Why? Because the Bible teaches it, God expects it, my relationship with Him demands it, and the heart within me that He has transformed desires it!

Every parent knows the feeling… You’ve done your best to warn them!  You’ve urged them not to attempt a particular activity – they’re not ready for it yet.  You’ve told them to stay away from something that was dangerous.  And they do it anyway!  And the result is a mess, a crisis, or worse!  Imagine how our Heavenly Father must feel sometimes!!!  I thought about that as I read these words from Psalm 81 this morning (spoken to “the Children of Israel” but certainly applicable to us!!)

“Sing for joy to God our strength!  Shout aloud to the God of Jacob!  Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre! …  I heard an unknown voice say:  ‘I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.  In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you… Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— IF YOU WOULD ONLY LISTEN TO ME!  But my people would not listen to me; they would not submit to me.  So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.  If my people would only listen to me, if they would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!” (from Psalm 81 NIV)

I want to listen to my Heavenly Father!  I want to heed His voice!  Think it will help me stay out of BIG TROUBLE!!

Maybe you will identify… It was dumb, I was young, what I did was stupid and impulsive!  I worked hard – tried to be a diligent and effective employee, but the act was “spur of the moment”; it turned out badly; and I regretted it…  The next thing I knew I was standing outside the bosses door… sweating and very nervous!  This could cost me my job and it could hurt my reputation!

I stepped inside the door, poured out my story, and apologized… AND HE SMILED AT ME!!!

I read Psalm 80 this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” and that event came to mind…  The situation described in Psalm 80 is similar… and 3 times in the passage this refrain appears (and believe me, I identify!)…

“Restore us, O God; may your face shine [or smile] upon us, that we may be saved!” (vs. 3)

“Restore us, God Almighty; may your face shine [or smile] on us, that we may be saved!” (vs. 7)

“Restore us,, Lord God Almighty; may your face shine [or smile] upon us that we may be saved!” (vs. 19)

Oh, how good it was that day long ago to receive the bosses smile of favor!  And how incredibly wonderful it will be on that “final day” to see the Heavenly Father’s smile of favor! (… And even now, after I’ve poured out my heart in repentance for my sin, He assures me of His smile of favor!)

King David knew it – and depended upon it!  His prayer?  “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me!  Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me!  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me!” (Psalm 51:10-12 NIV)

And another place – the New Testament: “If we confess [acknowledge] our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness!” (1 John 1:9)

Just smile Lord – just smile!