Coffee With The Lord

Connected with your “name” is your reputation… Have you thought about that? A probing thought isn’t it – perhaps even a bit frightening! …Your reputation! Of course your name stands for who you are… but it’s more than that to others… It’s based upon what people know of you personally – it’s based upon what you have done (or not done).

Recently I read an article (I can’t even remember the author now or the title of the article) – but the author argued that “the Name” of the Lord stood for more than God Himself, or even God’s character – it also included His reputation. The article was well done from a Biblical studies perspective, was persuasively argued, and I would have to say deepened my appreciation for the phrase “the Name of the Lord.”

Think about it – “the Name of the Lord” in terms of “His reputation!” I did today as I read Psalm 135 during my time of “Coffee with the Lord.” Here are a few reflections based upon my journaling today…

The Psalmist begins by urging his readers to “Praise the Lord” – to “Praise the NAME of the Lord!” – especially those who are to be found in “the house – the courts – of the Lord!” (OK now… engage your thinking not only regarding Who He is, His character, but only think about the Lord’s reputation!”

Then in verses 3-6 of the Psalm, the Psalmist highlights praising Him for His character… His is good, He is great (or supreme), He is sovereign (He does as He pleases)!

Then the Lord’s acts in creation (He is not only Creator, but also sustainer of everything) – vss. 6-7.

In verses 8-12 and 14 the Lord’s “reputation” (His “Name”) especially comes into play on behalf of His people – He is their Deliverer/Savior, their Defender, He is Victor and Provider! “YOUR NAME O LORD, ENDURES FOREVER, YOUR RENOWN (reputation), THROUGHOUT ALL AGES!” (vs. 13)

Contrast that reality – that reputation – with idols – other false gods (vss. 15-18)!

And Psalm 135 ends as it began… With a challenge – a call – to “Bless the Lord – to “Praise Him!” (vss.19-21)

Hear me… I’m going to praise the Lord for Who He is! I’m going to praise Him for His character! I’m going to praise Him for His mighty acts! I’m going to “PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD!” What a “reputation” the Lord has!!!

When Sharon and I are in Montana we attend a small (but growing) church in Columbia Falls, Montana – Journey Church.  A few weeks ago I was so impressed with what I observed there!  I experienced a wonderful, pastoral message from God’s word about the importance of sharing you faith in Christ with others.  I participated in sincere and uplifting worship.  But what impressed me the most was the evident “family of God love” that congregation exhibited for each other.  For these people, their “church” was not just a Sunday thing – they were really involved in each other’s lives – they were taking the love of Jesus to their community in practical and wonderful ways.  They were demonstrating the truth Jesus taught… “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.35)

I thought of that this morning as I read Psalm 133 during my time of “Coffee with the Lord”…

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aarons beard, down on the collar of his robe [i.e., a picture of the blessing of “anointing”]!  It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion [i.e., the blessing of the Lord that brings vitality and fruitfulness]!  For THERE the Lord bestows His blessing – even life forevermore!”

Just let me say, if that atmosphere and “spirit” is sustained in that church IT WILL GROW!  There is an infectious, contagious attractiveness about that kind of atmosphere, created within a congregation by the Holy Spirit, that draws people to Christ and the fellowship of believers… “THERE THE LORD BESTOWS HIS BLESSING – EVEN LIFE FOREVERMORE!”

Among Christians some of the biggest fights and angry disagreements have been over “eschatological issues” – especially over the timing of the “rapture” (the “catching away of Christians” to be with their Lord). It’s tragic really!

On that issue, my Bible reading today included an “authoritative passage” that deals with that subject. Apostle Paul declared that he “did not want the Thessalonian believers “to be uninformed” and what he was sharing with them was “a word from the Lord!”

Based upon what that passage teaches, Christians can be sure of this… DEAD OR ALIVE AT THE COMING OF THE LORD WE WILL CAUGHT AWAY TO BE WITH THE LORD FOREVER! What a wonderful hope and expectation!

Here it is right out of the Bible…

“This we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, AND SO WE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (From 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 ESV)

We don’t know the precise timing (the “day or hour” – cp. Matthew 25:13) of His coming – that’s up to the Lord (but the indicators it is near are everywhere)! But we can know and can be confident of the result of His coming – dead or alive! And upon that Christians ought to be able to agree! And I intend to stay alert and prepared for “the sound of that cry of command, the archangel’s voice, and the sound of God’s trumpet!” With my Lord forever – imagine that!!! My response? Hallelujah… a thousand Hallelujah’s!