Coffee With The Lord

Something happens… it’s grossly unfair… a wicked and vile person takes advantage of a good, righteous, generous and kind person and gets by with it! Worse yet, they’re exonerated! Righteous indignation rises in our hearts (at least it starts out as “righteous”)… Why would God allow that “scumbag” to get by with it! Worse yet, the evil perpetrator, is honored and, in spite of their evil deeds, prospers; while the good person suffers, their case against the wicked is ignored or marginalized, and they have to live in pain and poverty. It becomes a huge obstacle for us and we inwardly scream, “God, I don’t get it! Why didn’t You do something?!” Questions become disillusionment and disappointment – then bitterness – ultimately an impenetrable wall to our faith. We just can’t get over it! … And unless something dramatic happens we take our disillusionment with us to the grave!

How tragic! But this sad story has happened thousands of times in the experience of people of faith!

I’m convinced that’s why Psalm 73 is in the Bible! When we struggle with issues like that we need to read the psalmist’s account and allow the Holy Spirit that inspired Scripture to make the truth of the passage real to us!

Here’s what happened – this is what the psalmist said…

“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… They have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens and their tongue struts through the earth… Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.”

And our response? “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. 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 n 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! For behold those who are far from You shall perish – You put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to You! But for me it is good to be near You – I have made the Lord God my refuge that I may tell of all Your works!” (From Psalm 73)

I admit it… I don’t understand why it happens! It’s unfair! But I’m going to put it in the hands of God, and for my part, seek what is just and right, and trust the Lord to work it out and ultimately vindicate the righteous! I believe He will! I’m trusting Him!!!

Well here are the basic details about “your’s truly”…

Born to Ewalt and  Vera Bartel, LeRoy Robert Bartel, April 8, 1947 in Polson, Montana.

Dedicated to the Lord shortly thereafter by Rev. Wesley Fine, at Ronan Assemblies of God Church, Ronan, Montana.

“Born again,” baptized in water and “baptized in the Spirit” at a very early age through the ministry of the same church.

Attended Ronan Elementary School and graduated from Ronan High School.

Married to Sharon Martha Barnett, May 12, 1967

Four children, Tina, Robert, Shari and Philemon, 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Attended and graduated from Trinity Bible Institute and College, as well as Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

Served the Assemblies of God in several pastorates, as a university professor and dean, and a denominational leader.

Still alive at 71 years of age, happily married, serving the Lord, and awaiting either death, the resurrection, or the return of the Lord.

All of that personal history came to mind as I read the following words in my Bible as I enjoyed “coffee with the Lord” this morning…

“In You, O Lord, do I take refuge! … Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may continually come! … You are my rock and my fortress!  Rescue me, O my God from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and the cruel man!  For You, O Lord are my hope, my trust, from my youth!  Upon You I have leaned from before my birth!  You are He who took me from my mother’s womb!  My praise is continually of You!  You are my strong refuge!  My mouth is filled with Your praise, and with Your glory all the day!

“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent! … I will hope continually and will praise You yet more and more!  My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts, of Your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge! … O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds!  So,, even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, your power to all those to come!”  (From Psalm 71)

That’s my prayer!  That’s my commitment!  That’s my testimony … all life long!  And I sincerely hope and pray that those words from Psalm 71 are your prayer, your commitment, and your testimony as well!

Her voice was urgent… “LeRoy, hurry up! I need help NOW!”

It sent me scrambling! I dropped what I was doing and scurried to the room where she was… Whew!! It wasn’t a life-threatening emergency, but it required my immediate attention and assistance (and I was happy to provide it)!

“Hurry up! Help me!” – Not something we normally think appropriate to say to God! But nevertheless, something David, the psalmist, said in a prayer… Here it is, right from your Bible…