Coffee With The Lord

One of the most helpful things that can happen to any of us that are going through a great time of challenges or trials is to have had the privilege of watching a faithful fellow Christian navigate those stormy waters.  You learn so much by just watching their lives! 

Fortunately, even if we’ve never seen that with our own eyes, we have the wonderful record of people who have done it successfully in Scripture.  If you’ve ever read the stories of David in the Bible you know he was not only a person who experienced great victories – he also faced great trials.  We learn so much from the stories of his life – we can also learn from the gut wrenching prayers he prayed in those times recorded in the Bible…

Here’s some snippets from one of them I read this morning during “coffee with the Lord”…

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!  Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!  For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me… you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God… I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul… But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.  My times are in your hand’… Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! … Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you! … I had said in my alarm, ‘I am cut off from your sight.’ But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.  Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!”  (from Psalm 31 ESV)

So here’s my advice, if you’re going through a difficult trial, recall the life of a faithful Christian you know who has navigated a trail successfully and learn from their example.  And even if you don’t, learn from someone in the Bible like David, who penned the prayer recorded in Psalm 31 in the middle of one of his trials and make his words your own.

Do you remember what you told your children to quiet them, ease their fears, and help them cuddle up and go to sleep when that happened? Try this Psalm on for size… (Hey, it’s for adults too!!)

“The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. … The voice of the LORD strikes with bolts of lightning. The voice of the LORD makes the barren wilderness quake…. The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.” (From Psalm 29:3-11 NLT)

Here’s something from the Bible to share with them:  “That lightning, thunder, wind and rain is just the mighty “voice of God” … He’s showing how powerful He is… everything is going to be alright – Your mighty, all-powerful Heavenly Father is in control!”

My advice?  Give it a try – use it with your small children!  And you might read Psalm 29 yourself if you’re a bit frightened as well!

Wow! I’m Looking forward to the wonderful future God has prepared for His people!!  This morning I read about it prophetically in the last part of Isaiah 65 this morning and savored every word!!  I mean, just imagine what it will be like!!!  (I’ve included a “taste” of it below from the New Living Translation” … Enjoy!!

“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! … The sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more. No longer will babies die when only a few days old. No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life. No longer will people be considered old at one hundred! Only the cursed will die that young! … For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains. They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. For they are people blessed by the LORD, and their children, too, will be blessed. I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! … I, the LORD, have spoken!” (from Isaiah 65:17-25 NLT)

And if that isn’t awesome enough check out Revelation 21-22 in your Bible – it expands on the picture that Isaiah painted, inspired by the Holy Spirit!!!  Wow!!!

Hey, a time like this is coming for the people of God – those who know the Lord personally and are living their lives to honor Him (cp. 2 Peter 3:11-13)!!  It’s going to happen… as the passage declares… “The Lord has spoken!”