Coffee With The Lord

It’s incredible what the Lord can orchestrate and do!

I’ve been reading the book Ruth – It contains the story of Naomi (and her daughter-in-law, Ruth) in the Bible…

Naomi lived during the difficult time of the Judges in Israel and had to, along with her husband and two sons, leave her homeland because of a famine and move to Moab. There her husband, Elimelech, died… and if that wasn’t bad enough, her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, also died. Life for widows in that culture were incredibly challenging! They were often left penniless and vulnerable! Naomi not only was left without her husband and sons, she had herself and her two daughters-in-laws, Orpah and Ruth, to be concerned about! She heard a report that things had improved in Israel, so she decided to return there. Orpah decided to stay in Moab, but loyal Ruth committed to stay with Naomi.

Upon returning to Israel, frustrated, fearful, and struggling with bitterness, Naomi told her old friends, “Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara (meaning “Bitter,” for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me! I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me!” (1:20-21)

So what to do? Naomi urged her daughter-in-law, Ruth, to draw upon the compassion offered the poor by gleaning grain in the fields of the farmers. Ruth “happened upon” the field of a wealthy farmer, Boaz, and was treated compassionately and generously by him and his laborers. Boaz, just happened to be the near relative of Naomi’s family! In Jewish law, a near relative was referred to as a “kinsman redeemer” and had not only the right to purchase the property of a deceased male family member, but also the responsibly of taking the wife of the deceased and perpetuating the family name.

Wealthy Boaz officially arranged for this with Ruth! They were married and the story ends like this…

“So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.’ Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David… Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David!” (From Ruth 4:13–18 ESV) [And Jesus, was the “son of David,” the Messiah and our Savior!]

Now how good is that?! Naomi, the one who wanted to change her name to Mara (meaning “Bitter”) becomes mother-in-law to the richest, most influential man in the area, and Ruth, her daughter-in-law, bears a son who is in the line of King David… and ultimately Jesus Christ, our Savior!

I don’t know what you might be going through right now, but your present situation is not the final story with God in charge! There is hope! In the words of Apostle Paul, “He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us!” (Ephesians 3:20) And we are “More than conquerors through Him who loved us” and “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:37-39) So here is my advice… Don’t panic! Don’t get bitter! Give your situation to God, trust the Lord, and see what He will do! He can turn “Mara” into miracles!

A delicious “sip” from my time of “Coffee with the Lord”…

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever!  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore! …Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!”  (From Psalm 125 ESV)

I’m really grateful this morning for the significant spiritual leaders I’ve had in my life – those who have made a profound impact on my walk with the Lord.  They came to my community, pastored a church that I attended, or somehow crossed my pathway and were a tool that God used to bring me to Christ, contribute to my spiritual growth, were a channel God used to meet a need in my life, or helped me through some phase or situation where I needed help.  Some had a position or title – others did not, but their contribution was profound!  I could give you names but the list would be pretty long and I am confident I’d forget or neglect naming some…

Here’s Apostle Paul’s list:  “Tychicus…is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord!  I have sent him to you…that he may encourage your hearts… Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother… Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner… Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, is always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God… Luke, the beloved physician… Nympha, who had a church in her house.” (from Colossians 4:7-18)

Oh, the God-ordained diversity!  Did you pick up on some of the key descriptors – the characteristics of these spiritual leaders?  …“faithful minister, fellow servant, encourager, fellow prisoner, prayer warrior – brother (or sister)”?  All of them God’s agents for encouragement, spiritual growth, strengthening and stability.

I’m grateful for each one God has sent my way and their contribution to my life!  Aren’t you?!  In fact, right now I’m pausing during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” and offering thanks for them by name to my Heavenly Father.  …And, believe me, I’ll be looking for opportunities to tell them personally what a blessing they’ve been to my life!