Coffee With The Lord

As part of my Bible reading during “Coffee with the Lord” I’ve been reading the Proverbs.  This morning I read this proverb that brought to mind an old gospel song.  Here’s the proverb…

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin.  But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother!” (Proverbs 18.24 NIV)

I know you’ve heard the saying, “With friends like that, who needs enemies!”  Unreliable friends are not an asset – they’re a liability.  They are a case study for the word “hypocritical.”  You assume you can depend on them – you expect them to be faithful and loyal – and they prove to be anything but that… How are they sometimes described? … “Fair weather friends” – they’re near and dear when things are going good – they evaporate when things are going bad.

Jesus is NOT a friend like that…

Oh, here’s an old gospel song that came to mind…

“A friend of Jesus! Oh, what bliss! That one so weak as I, Should ever have a Friend like this, To lead me to the sky!

“Refrain: Friendship with Jesus! Fellowship divine! Oh, what blessed, sweet communion! Jesus is a Friend of mine!

“A Friend when other friendships cease! A Friend when others fail! A Friend who gives me joy and peace! A Friend when foes assail!

“A Friend when sickness lays me low!  A Friend when death draws near!  A Friend as through the vale I go, A Friend to help and cheer!

“A Friend when life’s short race is o’er, A Friend when earth is past, A Friend to meet on Heaven’s shore, A Friend when home at last!”

• Joseph Ludgate, 1898

And then a contemporary worship song that picks up the same theme…

“Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me, when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me, it’s amazing (Who am I Lord)

“I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend


“God Almighty
Lord of Glory
You have called me friend!”

• Israel Houghton

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.  No longer do I call you servants… I have called you friends!”  (John 15.13-15 NIV)  There IS a friend that sticks closer than a brother!!  (And I have some wonderful brothers!!)

I read a wonderful, encouraging Old Testament story today during my time of “Coffee with the Lord!”

The king of Aram had been at war with Israel. Time and again he had attempted to attack God’s people. Elisha, the prophet, had supernaturally informed Israel’s king about these planned attacks in specific terms and thus they had been able to avoid them. The report of this had come to the king of Aram. As a result, he decided to lay siege to the city where Elisha lived and capture him. Elisha’s servant got up one morning and there they were … an huge army with horses and chariots surrounding the city!

He panicked with fear and cried out, “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?!”

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet calmly answered, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them!” And then Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened his servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6.8-17 NIV)

Some of you today – my “Coffee with the Lord” friends – are facing frightening, in fact terrifying challenges today! It seems like “the enemy” has surrounded you and is laying siege to you! You don’t know what to do or where to turn for help. You’re living on the edge of panic!

My prayer today? “Oh Lord, open their eyes! Help them to see what is unseen to their physical eyes, but real to spiritual eyes, opened by God! Help them to see that ‘Greater is He that is in them, than he that is in the world!’ (1 John 4.4) and ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?! … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!’” (Romans 8:31-32, 37).

Yes, that’s my prayer… “Lord, open my eyes!” And when I’m about to panic about a situation in my life, may I hear the sweet whisper of my Intercessor, “OPEN HIS EYES!”

When you home protection system fails… When your neighbors never seem to notice the things that are happening in your neighborhood… When you fear that your Doberman will act like Lassie on tranquilizers and not a guard dog… When your handgun malfunctions when confronting an intruder… etc.

Then it’s time to depend on the truth of this verse…

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe!” (Proverbs 18:10)

In fact… You’re safer with His presence and protection than all of those things anyway!  There’re OK I guess – don’t neglect doing what you can to protect yourself, your family and your property – but be sure… BE VERY SURE TO PUT EVERYTHING IN THE LORD’S HANDS EVERY DAY!