Coffee With The Lord

ANSWERED PRAYER!  How absolutely delightful when we observe that God has done it!  The crisis may be critical – the need desperate – the situation seem hopeless…  We cry out to the Lord and He heeds our cry, answers our prayer, and rescues us!  Don’t you love Him for that?!  Oh how many times He’s done it … and just in the nick of time.

Other times we faced what seemed to be impossible situations and were convinced we did not have the strength to sustain us or could not hold out through the crisis.  Again we cried out to Him for help and months later we looked back and to our surprise we had traversed the stormy waters successfully with the strength, guidance and wisdom He provided.  Again… Don’t you just love Him for that?!

THERE’S A PSALM FOR THAT – PSALM 116!

“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.  Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.  The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. THEN I CALLED ON THE NAME OF THE LORD: ‘O LORD, I PRAY, DELIVER MY SOUL!

“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful!  The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me…

“What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?  I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people! … I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord!  I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people! … PRAISE THE LORD!!”

Interested in adventure books? I especially like books about climbing expeditions. I remember reading INTO THIN AIR by Jon Krackauer… Loved it! Well today in my “Coffee with the Lord” post I’m recommending another book of the same basic genre. If you’ve read and enjoyed Krackauer’s book and you’re a disciple of Jesus, you’ll REALLY enjoy this one! It’s entitled THE SUMMIT and was written by Eric Alexander, a world class climber, who is noted for having climbed Mt. Everest and having guided his blind friend, Eric Weihenmayer, to summit it. The book is FILLED with discipleship (and leadership) lessons learned in the process.

Alexander makes a big point in THE SUMMIT of the risks involved in mountain climbing in general and especially what are called “the Eight-Thousanders” (mountains taller than 8,000 meters). A moment of presumption, a thoughtless error, an overlooked detail, or a precaution neglected can mean death! Imagine the responsibility of guiding a blind person on such a climb!

All of this came to mind as I read Apostle Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:15-21…

“LOOK CAREFULLY THEN HOW YOU WALK, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil! Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit! Address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and make melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

The same care and vigilance a world-class climber needs to use… we need to use in our discipleship – our walk with the Lord! That doesn’t mean it should be a somber, dour experience… It does mean we approach our daily walk with the Lord seriously aware of the temptations, the potential pitfalls, the Spiritual errors we can make, and most of all, our “adversary” (Satan). But it is also a journey with enriching fellowship, uplifting experiences, joy, laughter, and gratitude! (Read Eric Alexander’s book! It’s available on Kindle.)

https://www.amazon.com/…/Eric…/author/B0034O0LX0…

Psalm 112… Read it – reflect on it – respond to it… then give it a title!

On one hand it’s an extended “Beatitude to the Righteous Life” (I mean consider these words in verse 1: “Blessed is the person who fears [reverences] the Lord – who greatly delights in His commandments!”)… Sounds like a “beatitude” to me! “NIV Study Bible calls it “a eulogy to the godly.” I’d call it another song in honor of those who love/delight in God’s word (like Psalm 1 in that regard). Perhaps another title could be “A Hymn in Honor of the Righteous Life!”

You really ought to read and reflect on it today… I did! And I’m still enjoying the afterglow!! Here’s a taste…

“Praise the Lord! BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD, WHO FIND GREAT DELIGHT IN HIS COMMANDS. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER! Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous… Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 Their hearts are secure… They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER!” (from Psalm 112 NIV)

Gotta tell you… I want to live my life like that – a righteous life! I want God’s blessing on my life, on my children (and grandchildren), and on all I’m involved in, as long as I live (and even after I’m gone) don’t you?