Coffee With The Lord

It had been a tough year, the organization I was a part of had struggled and faced incredible challenges. Our future as an organization seemed in doubt. Something had to happen – things had to change! We had all been gathered for an important meeting – there was going to be a big announcement… anxiety filled the room…

But what we heard that day changed everything! The person leading our organization had made precisely the right decisions! We would survive… We would recover! Success was in sight!

The passage I read this morning from Psalms left me feeling like the scenario you just read! Sometimes it feels like Christianity is under assault! Biblical values are abandoned or rejected! Persecution of godly, righteous people is increasing… I could go on…

But then the Sovereign Lord speaks – the King of all Kings and Creator of all things has His say about the future! It’s found in Psalm 98 – Here’s a taste of what it has to say…

“Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness…. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God!

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!

“Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together BEFORE THE LORD, FOR HE COMES TO JUDGE THE EARTH. HE WILL JUDGE THE WORLD WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THE PEOPLES WITH EQUITY.”

Hey, it’s going to be OK… He’s still in charge! You should feel better after that – I know I did!

Psalm 91 is one of the great Psalms in the Bible with a wonderful, inspired, word assurance for those who make the Lord their shelter, abiding place, refuge, fortress, protector and defense.  The Psalmists words have brought peace, security, and confidence to millions of people who reverence and trust the Lord down through the centuries.  Hey, it’s a wonderful thing when another person, speaks words of assurance to us!  That’s why today, regardless of what you’re facing, I encourage you to read and reflect on Psalm 91:1-13!

But at verse 14 of Psalm 91 there is a dramatic change – God speaks!  Listen, it’s one thing to be encouraged by the inspired words of another human being… But it’s quite another when God Himself speaks!  And in verses 14-16 of Psalm 91 God Himself speaks!  Here’s what God says to those who love, reverence, and trust Him (in fact if that describes YOU, you can put your name in the Psalm)…

“Because [your name] holds fast to me in love, I will deliver [your name]!  I will protect them, because they know My name!  When they call to me, I will answer them!  I will be with them in trouble!  I will rescue them and honor them!  With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation!”

I just want you to know… This morning as I read Psalm 91, I heard the psalmist speak an inspired message… but more than that, I HEARD GOD SPEAK!  And I claimed His words as my own, personally!  I also claimed them for Sharon, my wife!  More than that, I claimed them for all those I love who are making the Lord their shelter, abiding place, refuge, fortress, protector and defense!  And if they’re not… I am praying that they will “cling to the Lord in love” and come to “know His name” [his person and character] personally!

Here’s one voice urging you to claim Psalm 91 for yourself!  Listen to the Psalmist’s inspired words in verses 1-13 – but do more than that; listen to the Lord speak directly to you in verses 14-16!