Coffee With The Lord

Ever felt this way? …

“It’s just not fair!  They’re as “pagan as pagan can be” and they get all the breaks!  Here I am, trying to do what is right – seeking to honor God – and they get richer and richer, everything seems to fall their way, and I struggle every day and “the harder I try to get ahead the ‘behinder’ I seem to get!”  It’s just not fair!!!

Listen to what the Psalmist said in Psalm 73, and see if you don’t relate…

“Truly God is good…to those who are pure in heart!  But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped!  For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked… Behold they are always at ease and they increase in riches.  All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence!

“But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end…  When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward You!”

And then the Psalmist’s resolve – His “NEVERTHELESS,” in the face of what seemed so unfair to him…

“NEVERTHELESS, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand.  You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory!  Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You!  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!”  (From Psalm 73:23–26 ESV)

Listen, I don’t have all the answers to “why the wicked prosper!”  I’ll leave that (and their future) in the Lord’s hands… But I can tell you this… I want the Psalmist’s “NEVERTHELESS” to by my “NEVERTHELESS!”

The “Coffee with the Lord” reflection today is a tribute  to generous, self-giving Christians who over and over again beautifully exemplify what 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 talks about…

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.  In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own!  They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.  And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us… Since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”  (2 Corinthians 8:1–7 NIV)

I’ve watched it over and over again… Those who give the most – those with the greatest capacity for generosity and selflessness – are NOT usually those with the most money.  In fact, they are usually, people of ordinary means (even poverty)!!  Thankfully there are exceptions – and what a wonderful thing that is!  The beauty of it – the wonderful, exquisite, wonder of it – is NOT the amount of money that is given but the “grace of God” that prompts it.  No arm twisting, no use of guilt motivation – a need surfaces and it happens… LOVING GENEROSITY!  SELF-GIVING!  In fact, they often actually “plead for the privilege of sharing in this service!”  What kind of “spirit” motivates this incredible display?  Paul nails it on the head… these kind of people “give themselves FIRST OF ALL to the Lord!”

My dad comes to mind – He was that kind of person… I saw him over and over again respond selflessly and sacrificially to a need!  I saw him give when we really didn’t have it to give!  I saw him give to help someone in need… give to a guy on the street… give to spread the gospel… give to the church he loved… most of all, he had that incredible ability to reach beyond what was the evident need and GIVE TO GOD!  … “As you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me!” (Matthew 25.40)

Hey, check it out… in this passage sometimes “grace” is spelled “give” (and it’s not always money)!!

I got to the end of a major section in the Psalms yesterday in my Bible reading… (Book 2 ends with Psalm 72). Then I started reading Book 3 today)… Have you ever gotten to end of one season in  your life – one phase in your journey – and wondered what was next? At that point in life have you found yourself asking what you should do?  Perhaps it was graduation (from high school, university, or finishing an advanced degree). Or it might have been a layoff from a job and the challenge of starting a new one. Perhaps it was facing the “empty next” or “retirement” and wondering what was “next.” Whatever it was, the question was, “What’s next? What should I do now?”

Well, at the end of Book 2 in the Psalms, I believe we’re given a good recommendation… Why not pause and praise the Lord!  Bless his holy name!

Here’s what Psalm 72:19 says… “Blessed be the Lord our God who alone does wondrous things! Blessed be His glorious name forever! May the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!”

I don’t know about you, but that seems like really good advice! At the end of various seasons or episodes in our life – before you begin something new, something different – Pause and praise! Bless the Lord! And then let Him lead you into something new and different. Going to try to remember that… and do that!