Coffee With The Lord

How deep and devoted is the commitment of an authentic Christ-follower to their God? Good question, eh? The passage in my Bible reading today from “the prophets” during “coffee with the Lord” addressed that issue (Daniel 3)!

The story is often referred to as “The three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace” – the problem however, is this account in the Bible did not happen to “children” – it happened to three young men, in a pagan land, who had achieved significant positions of influence.

The pressure was on! The powerful world leader in Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar by name, had granted these young Hebrew men, positions of influence. Nebuchadnezzar apparently wanted no disloyalty or lack of unity. So he constructed a huge golden statue (“image”) 90 feet tall in his name and issued an edict that all in his kingdom must bow to it and “worship” it or face a terrible death by burning.

These young Hebrew who reverenced the Lord and His “law” refused! Regardless of the pressure! Regardless of its impact on their professional advancement! Regardless of the threat on their lives, they refused!

Here it is in their own words: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’” (From Daniel 3:16–18 ESV)

In my opinion these young people evidenced the character, courage, and commitment of God-fearing individuals who have faced persecution and martyrdom down through the ages! Revelation 2:10 echoes the commitment and faithfulness of believers that have faced pressure and persecution down through the ages (and especially will be faced in “the last days”) along with God’s promise… “Do not fear what you are about to suffer! Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days [i.e. a short period of time] you will have tribulation. BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH [even if your faithfulness results in death], AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE CROWN OF LIFE!”

Now these young Hebrews were marvelously and miraculously vindicated by God (“the 4th man in the fire!” – read the rest of the story in Daniel 3)! Not all have been, however – many have suffered and given their lives!

Just know this… I DESIRE TO EXHIBIT THE CHARACTER, COURAGE, AND COMMITMENT OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY, IN MY WORLD, REGARDLESS THE PRESSURE (OR THREATS)! How about you?

Just a comment: Today’s “Sip” from my time of “Coffee with the Lord” is coming from a 78 year old guy who runs 5-7 miles nearly every day and on the week of his birthday does a “Prayer Run” in which he runs his age in miles. (Note: Every one of my runs is a “Prayer Run!”) My fitness theme? “FITNESS WITH A PURPOSE!”

“TRAIN YOURSELF FOR GODLINESS! While bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come! THIS SAYING IS TRUSTWORTHY AND DESERVING OF FULL ACCEPTANCE!” (From 1 Timothy 4:7–9)

WARNING: Today’s “Coffee with the Lord” is a repost (but believe me, I believe a worthy one!)

Proverbs 3:1-12, for me, expresses several core values and key life-principles that have guided my life over the years! I read them again this morning with relish. I would have to say these are core concepts that I have personally embraced – they have made all the difference in the quality of my daily life. Each comes with a wonderful promise or assurance. I highly recommend them! Here is a fresh personal statement and paraphrase of those principles…

1. Don’t forget the reliable life-lessons you been taught by the key influencers in your life! What they have invested in you will adorn and distinguish your life.

2. Embrace and live out your key covenant relationships! God will honor you… and so with others.

3. Trust in the Lord completely – don’t try to run your own life! The Lord will smooth out your path and work out all of the details.

4. Reverence the Lord and live out that reverence humbly! It is the healthy way to live and you discover fresh vitality in your life.

5. Honor the Lord with your possessions! He promises to prosper you!

6. Accept and submit to your Heavenly Father’s discipline! It is a sign that He cares about you – that He deeply loves you and you’re His child.

Check ‘em out in your Bible! Take it from me… this passage is worth committing to memory!