Coffee With The Lord

Just a reminder this morning from my time of “coffee with the Lord” … PRAYER WORKS! I needed the reminder this morning and perhaps someone out there does as well! This is what I read this morning in my Bible reading…

“Isaiah, son of Amoz sent this message to King Hezekiah: ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says: BECAUSE YOU PRAYED to me concerning King Sennacherib of Assyria, this is what the Lord says…’” (Isaiah 37:21 from the NET Bible)

And what follows in the Bible is the incredible account of God’s word of encouragement and deliverance to Hezekiah. Assyria was a formidable threat and adversary! One nation after another had fallen to their violent and overwhelming military power. The very mention of the name “Assyria” in a military context brought dread and terror. Now Judah was the target! Sennacherib marched against the fortified cities of Judah and surrounded Jerusalem. He sent his chief military adviser to challenge and taunt the leaders in Judah in person and via a written letter. Hezekiah received the message, went to the temple, spread it out before the Lord, and fervently prayed!

God heard! And Isaiah 36:22-38 records God’s wonderful answer and miraculous deliverance! Here’s the account…

“So this is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city, nor will he shoot an arrow here. He will not attack it with his shielded warriors, nor will he build siege works against it. He will go back the way he came— he will not enter this city,’ says the Lord. I [the Lord] will shield this city and rescue it for the sake of my reputation and because of my promise to David my servant.”

“That night the Lord’s messenger went out and killed 185,000 troops in the Assyrian camp. When they got up early the next morning, there were all the corpses! So King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and went on his way. He went home and stayed in Nineveh. One day, as he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword. They ran away to the land of Ararat and his son Esarhaddon replaced him as king.” (Isaiah 37:33–38 the NET Bible)

One more time… Let me say it, PRAYER WORKS!

It’s been one of those weeks (actually, couple of weeks)… Came back from the Philippines after a very busy week of ministry – preaching and teaching at APTS. Loved it! But I have to admit my tongue was hanging out. Got back and immediately had a class to prepare for Sunday morning at Trinity Church. Then Monday through today a Masters of Leadership cohort to teach with Pastor Scott Wilson as well as my usual compliment of classes at SAGU… throw in a bit of “jet lag” and I’m “panting and pushing through!” Perhaps some of it (more than I’d like to admit) my own fault! 😉

I do have to say, however, that my Bible reading this morning was tailor-made for me today! (Depending on what your week has been like, it may be just for you as well!) Here it is…

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” (Matthew 11:28–30 New Living Translation)

My response? Thank you Lord! I needed that! I need some body rest to be sure… but more than that, I’m grateful you give “soul-rest!” Help me learn it from you!

I don’t have a great voice (average at best), but one of the great joys of my life has been to participate in some great choirs. There are few things I enjoy more than hearing a great chorale sing! There are times when a unison section in a great oratorio, done by a chorale, seems like a single, solitary voice… you listen closely and look at the chorale in amazement as you see singers of different ages, cultural and racial backgrounds, male and female voices… but it seems to be one incredible, finely tuned note – one voice! And then, just as you’re enjoying that… the choir splits into a thrilling harmony… and yet it is still one voice! Your skin crawls with excitement! Those who appreciate beautiful music will know what I’m talking about… One word for it – WOW!!

Thought about that experience (enjoyed many times) as I read about Apostle Paul’s desire and prayer for the Church of Jesus Christ in Romans 15:6-7 this morning…

“Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you such unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that TOGETHER WITH ONE VOICE you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”

I got to tell you, it’s thrilling to hear a chorale like that! But it thrilling to see unity like that in a local church! It’s even more thrilling to God, our Savior, who prayed, “That they will all be one, just as you, Father are in Me and I am in You. I pray that they will be in Us, so that the world will believe that You sent Me. The glory You gave to Me I have given to them, that they may be one just was We are one – I in them and You in Me – that they may be completely one!” (John 17:21-23)

Oh, may our “unison” – our unity in the Church – bring joy to God’s heart! And may it also be our goal to sacrifice our personal agenda’s for the common good within the redeemed community to make that kind of unity, in Christ Jesus, a reality!