Coffee With The Lord

From my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning…

I was sitting in church one Sunday morning and the offering plates were about to be passed around one more Sunday… one more time.  I didn’t have much in my billfold and just a few coins in my pocket.  It had been a rough month – a lot of unexpected expenses – and I admit I really didn’t feel like I had anything to give… In fact, I really intended to let the offering plate pass me by without putting anything in it…

And God spoke to me, deep in my heart… I believe I heard Him say this to me that day:  “Son, always give something and you’ll always have something to give… I promise!”

That’s in the Bible!  I read it this morning during my devotions!  Here it is…

“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.  You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully!”  And God will generously provide all you need! Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others… For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.  Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.  Thank God for His gift too wonderful for words!  (From 2 Corinthians 9:6–15 NLT)

There are quite a number of terrifying experiences that a person could have.  It seems to me that one of the most terrifying would be the experience of drowning!  Apparently, King David thought so as well!  He likened a terrible experience that he was going through to the experience of drowning in Psalm 69.

So how does a person pray when they feel like they’re drowning?  Here’s how David prayed…

“Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck!  I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.  I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God… But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness!  Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters!  Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me!”

What a prayer!  What passion!  What an expression of faith in a terrible circumstance!  And the response?

“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving…  For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people… Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.  For God will save Zion [His people]!

I don’t know what terrifying situation you may be facing!  It may feel like you’re drowning!  If that’s the way you feel right now I’d make David’s prayer, my prayer!  I’d pray it passionately and sincerely… and I’d depend on the Lord in his steadfast love and faithfulness to rescue me!