Coffee With The Lord

Two “coffee with the Lord” posts in one day… what’s happen’n anyway?

I don’t just want to hear His praise through ear buds on my i-phone or i-pod… I’m going to take ’em off and hear his praise all around me in what He has made…

Here’s the passage from the Bible that prompted that reflection…

“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… 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!” (From Psalm 98)

When I was in the 6th grade we had a bully… His name was Ronald and he was big, and mean (and kinda “dumb”). I was afraid of him and on several occasions he threatened me and pushed me around.

But also in the 6th grade we had an “ol’ fashioned school marm” for a teacher, named Mrs. McIlroy. We were all scared of her… including Ronald! Mrs. McIlroy could step into the room – and when she did she was in charge! With personal delight I can tell about the times when Ronald was pushing someone around and threatening someone and Mrs. McIlroy stepped into the room… Hee, hee, hee!!

In my Bible reading this morning those scenes came to mind as I read Psalm 97…

“The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice! … For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods! O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints! He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to His holy name!” (from Psalm 97 ESV)

There’s a big bad bully doing mean stuff in our world… deceiving those God has created… threatening and pushing people around… ruining lives. His name is Satan… He’s our adversary – the deceiver. But one of these days God is going to step into the room… and He’s in charge! (You really ought to read Revelation 20:1-11) That’s why Psalm 97 says “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart” and it will bear fruit! “The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice!”