Coffee With The Lord

I had a math teacher in school who was a whiz with mathematical computations.  She would pose a problem, write it on the board, and ask us to solve it.  I’d do my best.  Now I was certainly no math whiz but I felt I could get around ok with mathematical equations.  After we’d try, then our math teacher would go to the board and begin solving the problem… urging us to compare what we had done with her approach and solutions.  She’d approach the end of the problem and with a flourish turn around and say… There!  Is that what you got?  Did you see how I did that?

Problem was… her answer was NOT what I had gotten… AND how she got her answer was NOT the way I had gotten mine!  I was almost always ready to argue with her answer… Although I hate to admit it, her answer was ALWAYS right and mine was usually wrong.

I really don’t know how many perplexing problems of life I’ve tried to solve on my own.  Did my best too!  More than I’d like to admit my humanly devised solutions to life issues turned out to be wrong.  Then in frustration, I’d go to God’s word, and discover that from a biblical perspective my answer was all wrong… it was my best effort, but it was wrong! 

Often God’s solution was counter-intuitive!  He said trust – I just tried harder!  He urged obedience – I rejected that and used my own solutions.  And then the arguing would begin.  I’d reject His answers – His solutions – and try something else.  Same dead end!  Same frustration!  Wrong!!

This is what I read in the Bible this morning… “The sum of Your word is truth!  Every one of Your righteous rules endures forever! (Psalm 119:160)

Think I’m ready to acknowledge what the Bible says to be true… “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways declares the Lord!  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thought than your thoughts!” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

I am always deeply impressed by the “heart” of a true spiritual leader!  Once again in my Bible reading today I read a passage that articulated the values and concerns of such a person – in this case the Apostle Paul.  Here’s what he wrote to the church in Colossae…

“I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you (and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face), that your hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.  For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” (Colossians 2:1–5 ESV)

Here are the key things that impressed me today about authentic spiritual leaders…

1. The deep, deep concern they have for the spiritual welfare of others
2. The desire they have for love to dominate the relationship of those they lead, “knitting together” their hearts
3. The longing they have for God’s people to come to know Christ in a personal, deep, intimate way (because “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are found in Him)!
4. The concern they have that those they lead not be deceived and deluded by false doctrine (even if it comes couched in “plausible arguments”)
5. The joy it brings them when they see “good order” and “firmness of faith” in Christ Jesus among those they lead.

As a boy growing up I was privileged to have had two pastors who evidenced these kinds of passions.  Today I honor them… Pastor Leon Mitchell (deceased) and Pastor Kenneth Peterson.  Thank you, gentlemen for being that kind of spiritual leader (“pastor”) and evidencing those kinds of values!  Listen, if you have (or have had) that kind of spiritual leader you have been blessed indeed!

Oh… one final word:  Just reporting – I passionately want to be that kind of spiritual leader!

What is our temptation in times of severe and sustained trouble? …

To take things into our own hands, abandon trust in the Lord, and do things our way… in a word – disobedience!

The inspired advice of Scripture?  Don’t do it!!! 

I read this wise advice in Psalm 119 in the Bible this morning! (Psalm 119:145-160)

The situation?  Severe and sustained trouble coupled with a cry for God’s help – expressed in the first phrase of several of the verses… “With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! … I call to you; save me! … I rise before dawn and cry for help! … My eyes are awake before the watches of the night! … They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose! … Look on my affliction and deliver me! … Plead my cause and redeem me! … Many are my persecutors and my adversaries!”

Our temptation when an answer does not come quickly?  To abandon trust in the Lord and do things our way – disobedience!  Here’s the Psalmist’s inspired advice…  Don’t do it!  Instead trust in God and obey what His word directs you to do!  This is expressed in the second phrase of those very verses! … “I will keep your statutes! … That I may observe your testimonies!… I hope in your word! … That I may meditate on your promise! … You are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true! …. I do not forget your law! … Give me life according to your promise! … I do not swerve from your testimonies!

And to sum it up?  “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever!” (vs. 160)

Let me tell you, I’ve decided that regardless of the pressure, regardless of the problems, regardless of persecution, I will not yield to the temptation to abandon trust in the Lord and do things my own way!  I’m going to continue to trust in the Lord and obey His word!  Oh, help me Lord, never to forget that!