Coffee With The Lord

You’ve seen the pictures on the evening news… incredible devastation from all kinds of natural disasters – earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, lightening and hail – homes destroyed, cities devastated, and worst of all people who have been killed or badly injured!

Add to this the threat and devastation of war … the terrible things that people do to people. We’ve all seen those pictures as well. The evening news warns us… “The images you are about to see may be troubling!” No kidding… Not just buildings blown to bits and the twisted metal of destroyed vehicles littering the streets but bloody bodies all over the place with angry people continuing to shoot at one another!

It’s enough to unsettle the most secure person and produce fear and anxiety…

I read a passage this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” that seems to speak to situations just like that… Psalm 46 (I won’t quote it all… just enough to capture the comforting thrust of its message for those who are “God-trusters”…

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble! Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter… The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress! Selah

“Come, behold the works of the Lord… He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. ‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress! Selah“

(from Psalm 46 ESV)

There it is… twice in the same passage – God’s message to “God-trusters” living in a dangerous and troubled world… “The Lord of Hosts is with us! The God of Jacob is our fortress!” Really hope you’re a “God-truster”!

I’ve heard a lot of introductions over the years… Speakers being introduced at conferences, those receiving awards, candidates for office, and others. I’ve even been introduced a few times and wondered… “Who is that guy? Do I know him? Must be pretty impressive!” They obviously got the promo piece that the public relations department put together… not my rap sheet. Don’t be mistaken; I’m grateful that people (including my wife) can say nice things about me.

But on a humorous note, I remember my wife telling me of a lady who was effusively “pouring on the gravy” after I had spoken at an event. (She didn’t know at the time that Sharon was my wife.) So Sharon identified herself… and the lady exclaimed, “Oh my, being married to him must be a real trip!” To which my wife replied with a grin… “If you only knew… If you only knew!”

David was an exemplary, God anointed, and incredibly gifted leader! Psalm 45 is a song honoring him… an introduction, if you please. Here is how it starts out… “My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!”

But then I think the one writing this tribute to David, the earthly king, became deeply aware that there was a Greater King – a Heavenly King – the “King of all Kings!” … He exclaimed, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever! The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness! You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions!”

Hey listen, when we’re “pouring on the gravy” to a human leader – whoever they are – let’s keep in mind there is One before whose name, “Every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father!” (from Philippians 2:5-11) If there is any greatness in any of us its because of Him – because of His grace! Let’s honor Him above all others!

Just a word of encouragement to parents and grandparents today…

Be sure to tell and re-tell the wonderful stories of God’s miraculous activity in your life – stories of faith and discipleship and God’s wonderful care and provision on your behalf. The Bartel boys as children would sit for hours listening to our parents and their friends swap these wonderful “true life” stories of the adventures they’d experienced as a result of following Jesus. It indelibly impacted our lives for good. Now we’ve got our own stories of God’s grace, power and goodness in our lives to tell!

Here’s what I read in the Bible about that this morning during “coffee with the Lord”…

“O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old.” (Psalm 44.1)

In fact, I grin whenever I remember one of my kid’s favorite phrases at family gatherings… “Dad and mom, tell us some of your stories of ‘the olden days!’”