Coffee With The Lord

Today I’m sharing a wonderful promise and word of assurance I’ve depended upon a lot over the years. Fact is, I can’t remember the first time I discovered it, claimed it, and found it true, but the times since then that I’ve relied upon it have been numerous. Just take it from me – it works! I read it again this morning in my Bible reading and just paused and offered thanks for the wonderful truth it expresses.

Early on I found the old “Living Bible” paraphrase by Ken Taylor especially helpful in applying it to my life… Here it is:

“If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; He will not resent it. But when you ask Him be sure that you really expect Him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.” (James 1:5-8 Living Bible)

We all need wisdom and guidance! Those who “fear (or reverence) the Lord desire to know and do His will. This wonderful passage lifts discovering God’s will out of the arena of stress and anxiety and transfers it into the domain of confident assurance and faith. We can ask for wisdom and God has promised to supply it. We are not told precisely how He will supply it or how it will be revealed – simply that He will. He has an innumerable number of ways at his disposal… clear direction from His word, counsel from Godly leaders and friends, circumstances, a “word of wisdom, word of knowledge, or prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), researching your options bathed in an atmosphere of prayer, or just simply “faith walking” through the issue every day sensitive to the Lord’s presence and help… and that’s just a handful of possibilities. BUT THE TRUTH IS, GOD WILL SUPPLY THE WISDOM YOU NEED! ONE OF MY FAVORITE TRUISMS IS… “THE WILL OF GOD GROWS ON YOU!”

Trust Him! Ask for His wisdom! Believe that He’ll do what He said and supply it! Then expectantly watch, wait, listen, visit with Him about your options and depend upon His leading… and obey! Hey, it works!

It’s nice to “get a jump” on things – or a “head start” – or whatever adage you choose to use… I mean look around; multitudes are getting a “jump” or “head start” on Christmas (in fact, it started even before Halloween!). HOW ABOUT GETTING A “HEAD START” ON THANKSGIVING? That idea came to mind as I read 1 Chronicles 16:7-43 as a part of my Bible reading this morning during my time of “Coffee with the Lord.”

It’s entitled “David’s Song of Thanks” in the Bible I’m reading and really it is David’s reflection on all that God had done for him (and God’s people Israel) over the years. It is a collection drawn from other thanksgiving psalms that reflect on God’s goodness: Psalm 105:1-15; 96:1-13; and Psalm 106:1, 47-48). It was sung upon the return of Israel’s sacred ark (the symbol of God’s presence among His people to Jerusalem). Let me highly recommend it as A GREAT “PRE-THANKSGIVING” READ!!

Here’s just a sample drawn from it… (Read slowly, reflectively and with expression – let its truth sink in and impact your life!) 1 Chronicles 16:8–34 (ESV)

“OH GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered…

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and He is to be feared above all gods! Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place…

“Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord!

“OH GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER! (Taken from 1 Chronicles 16:8-34 ESV)

Hey, I’m just “getting a jump” on Thanksgiving! On toward a blessed, grateful, exuberant, praise-filled Thanksgiving!!!

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother [or sister] is born for adversity…Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy… Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from their earnest counsel… There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother!” (Taken from Proverbs 17:17; 18:24; 27:6, 9)