Coffee With The Lord

Don’t know if you’ve ever had to deal with the issue of denial of access to information you’d really like to have.  You didn’t have the right “security clearance” or someone in authority determined that it was privileged information and only for a designated few.  Perhaps it was your parents who withheld sensitive information from you when you were growing up… Or it might have been someone else.  It can be frustrating!

On the other hand, we operate just fine in our daily lives, without some information!  I’m using this computer today to post something that I believe to be helpful… Yet I don’t know the “in’s-and-out’s” of “computer language” or all the intricacies of software, apps or computer hardware… I know a little – I’m an informed user – but I probably just “know enough to be dangerous.” I’m ok with that… I’ll depend on the tech gurus and specialists and use the “user friendly” side of some very technical stuff.

And when it comes to some “thorny theological issues” I’ll take the same approach!  In fact, I read this helpful passage today in the Bible during my time of “coffee with the Lord” on that issue…

“The secret things belong to the Lord, our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV)  …Words spoken from God, through Moses, to God’s people Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land.

I’m so grateful for the things God has clearly revealed to us in the Bible! … Here’s my conviction (I’ve had my Bible study students write it in the flyleaf of every Bible they own down through my years of teaching) – “This book is my all sufficient guide for faith (i.e. my relationship with God) and daily living!”

Now I’m the first to admit there are a lot of things I don’t know Biblically and beyond my comprehension theologically – “secret things,” things of mystery, “ineffable” things (look it up).  But there are a host of things I do understand… Things that God has clearly revealed!  And in the words of the late Billy Graham, “It’s not what I don’t understand that bothers me – it’s what I do understand!”

Now that’s not an excuse for intellectual laziness or sloppy, ad hoc, theologizing!  I believe God calls us to study, and reflection, and clear thinking about what He has revealed!  But on the other hand, the God I serve is infinite, and there is much about Him that is “ineffable” (there’s that word again!).  But I am convinced Apostle Peter’s inspired revelation is true: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to His own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3)

I’m ok with that!  I’ll seek, and search, and study, and depend on the Holy Spirit to reveal and illuminate what God has revealed… But when my understanding just “hits a wall” and I experience one of those “ineffable” things, I’ll trust the Lord, depend on His character, and await a full understanding of what He wants me to know on the other side, where “I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

I just read Psalm 104 this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” …

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty! … O Lord how manifold are Your works! In wisdom you made them all! (Psalm 104:1 & 24)

Wow! What a awesome Creator God we serve! You should read that Psalm today slowly, with reflection and imagination, letting the words provoke scenes in your mind! I did and thought of the trip Sharon and I are taking tomorrow to one of the most beautiful places on planet earth… our cabin near Glacier National Park (“the Alps of America!) The posted pic is just a taste of the grandeur of God you experience there… Psalm 104!!!

I want to apologize in advance for the title of this “Coffee with the Lord” reflection! I would not for a moment trivialize the majesty, splendor or holiness of our God. But I have to be honest — really this is how I came up with it… When our family moved to Texas over 12 years ago, I was introduced to a burger chain that won my affection (for its burger [one of the few available with God’s greatest vegetable – the jalapeno], for its biscuits and gravy, and for a good cup of coffee). That burger chain is something that northern folk don’t have – “What-a-Burger”!

This morning, as I spent time reading and reflecting on Psalm 103, I was reminded of just how great and marvelous a God we serve! And I’m sorry…I couldn’t help it…There’s no getting around it…We serve “What-a-God!” This psalm was written by David to express the supreme greatness of the God we serve! It should leave us saying…Wow! What-a-God!

First of all, David’s exhortation is, don’t forget all the wonderful things God has done – and all the things He does… and can do! Recall them! Bring them back to mind! Let them provoke awe and gratitude! Oh, I could tell you the stories… So could you as you think about it… In fact, the Bible is the record of the wonderful, awe-inspiring, faith-generating feats of God! Take a moment right now and read verses 1-5 of this great Psalm… I dare you!

Next, David urged us to contemplate God’s impeccable character! (Read verses 6-18) He highlights the greatness of God’s love – His “steadfast love” (Hebrew: “Hesed”) – His covenant keeping love. The key idea is declared in verse 8: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love!” The great Apostle Paul prayed we would be able to grasp it: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father… that you being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge!” (Ephesians 3:17-19) Oh the life-transforming power of His love!

Then David urged us to consider the Lord on his heavenly throne! “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all!” (verse 19) Oh, that we might see Him in His exalted position, splendor, and kingly power! That would change everything for us – our problems, our challenges, our issues, our lives! It happened for Apostle John! After he had been shown a revelation of the state of the 1st century church, he heard a divine summons… “Come up here!” and he was immediately swept up into the heavenly throne room, saw God upon His throne, and heard the heavenly worship! Wow!!! You should read it in Revelation 4!

So, how should a person properly respond to a God like that? David only knew one way (and a way we should respond, as well) – authentic praise and worship! Here are his words… “Oh, bless the Lord, O you his angels – you mighty ones who do His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all His hosts – His ministers who do His will! Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of His dominion! BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL!!!”

All I’ve got to say is… “What-a-God!!!”