Coffee With The Lord

I’m an ol’ farm boy from Western Montana… When I read certain passages of Scripture images from the ranch pop into my mind… Today, during “Coffee with the Lord” was one of those days!  Here is what the Bible says…

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go!  I will counsel you with my eye upon you.  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle or it will not stay near you… Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.  Be gad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.”  (From Psalm 32:8-11 ESV)

I don’t know if you’ve ever watch someone break a horse with a strong will or a mind of its own.  It can be risky business for the person working with the horse and it can be a difficult experience for the horse (check out the pic).  We used to have a saying on the farm… “A horse that can’t take a bridle is worthless!”  Breaking or training a horse requires carefulness, patience and skill!

But once trained – once broken – what a beautiful thing it can be!  For example, watching a well-trained cutting horse work is an awe-inspiring, magnificent thing to see.  The rider indicates to the horse which steer he or she wants cut out or separated from the herd, and the horse takes over.  If the horse is well trained the question really could be raised; who is in charge – the horse or the rider?  The horse knows what it needs to do and does it… And the slightest nudge or word by the rider is heeded.  An awesome sight to behold!  (Wish I could attach a video of it taking place!)

Oh, I want to be obedient and heed the voice of the Lord?  I don’t want to resist Him and behave like a self-willed, stubborn, wild animal!  The only one that gets hurt in that scenario is me!  “Many are the sorrows of the wicked!”  the passage says.  Instead, I want to learn to heed the slightest command of my “Heavenly Trainer”!  He promises to “Instruct me in the way I should go… to counsel me with His eye upon me!”  He says His, “steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in Him!”  Oh Lord, take the “wild” out of me and may I learn to be your obedient follower!

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

Fortunately, even if we’ve never seen that with our own eyes, we have the 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 can learn 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.

Today, during my time of “coffee with the Lord,”I recalled the words an old “chorus” we used to sing a long time ago in church…

“Jesus… and Others… then You

What a wonderful way to spell JOY!”

Others oriented living … What a Christ-like, spiritually mature and redemptive way to live!!

It is the core idea of the passage that I read today during my devotions that prompted this reflection today…

“You say, ‘I have the right to do anything!’ …

                But not everything is beneficial!

“You say, ‘I have the right to do anything!’ …

                But not everything is constructive!

“No one should seek their own good, but instead the good of others! … So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God!  Do not cause anyone to stumble.  I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.  Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (From 1 Corinthians 10.23 – 11.1 NIV)

And then in another place… “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’”(Romans 15.1-3 NIV)

Got to tell you, I want to live that way!  Jesus, I want to emulate YOU!  I want to seek “the benefit of others” before my own personal benefit!  “What a wonderful way to spell J-O-Y!”