Coffee With The Lord

Do you have a person you can go to and use as a sounding board for decisions you have to make?  A living, breathing, human who is wise and helps you sort out issues you’re facing, challenges that are coming your way, and questions you are wrestling with?  All of us need that kind of person at one time or another.

As a Christian, I always have the Lord that I can run to for wisdom… I love the way the old Tyndale Living Bible expresses it:  “If you want to know what God want you to do, ask Him and He’ll gladly tell you.  He is willing to give a generous supply of wisdom to all who ask Him, and He’ll not resent it.”

However, as wonderful as it is to run to the Lord when I need wisdom, I really desire, need, and appreciate another human being that I can talk to and can depend upon for godly counsel!

This morning I read these words that Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians that had written to him with the questions they had… He answered them and said, “I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 7:25 ESV).  I don’t know about you, but I really need someone like that to talk to periodically – to pray with – to use as a spiritual sounding board with whom I can just “think out loud” and receive godly counsel.

As I thought about that this morning during “coffee with the Lord” several characteristics of that kind of person came to mind (all starting with the letter “P”).  There may be more, but here’s my starting list… I need someone who is proven, prayerful, perceptive, practical, patient and Pentecostal (and by that last one I mean someone who does more than simply “speak in tongues” – I mean someone whose whole life is oriented to what the Holy Spirit is like, is empowered by Him, and guided by the Holy Spirits activity in their life … “gifts” and “fruit”). 

I need that kind of person!  Right now, I’ve got one identified in my mind that I’d go to… one that satisfies all the characteristics I’ve identified.  I am truly blessed!  Got the Lord and some godly people in my life I can depend on!  Praise the Lord!!  Do you?   

Psalm 22 … I read it again this morning during “Coffee with the Lord.”  I am aware it is filled with prophetic allusions to what Jesus suffered on our behalf on the cross.  However, I think we often read it through that lens and miss the powerful significance and application it has to our lives.  As I read the psalm again today I became aware in a renewed way that the two are actually linked!  Jesus totally and completely identified with what we, as humans, go through in suffering and rejection… even in a much greater degree than we experience!  As a result, His suffering and rejection become a powerful aid to assist and comfort us in the things we experience… even to the extreme of feeling abandoned and forgotten by God…  Here’s a taste of the Psalm (but you really probably need to read and savor the whole thing)

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?! Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest!  Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of [Your people].   In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.  To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame… From my mother’s womb you have been my God.  Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help! ….But you, O Lord, do not be far off!  O you my Help, come quickly to my aid! … I will tell of Your Name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You… For He has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and He has not hidden His face from him, but has heard when he cried to Him.”

As I read this wonderful Psalm today (one that several times in my life I have really identified with)… I was reminded with the wonderful assurance given in Hebrews:

“For it was fitting that He, for Whom and by Whom all things exist, in bring many children to glory, should make the Founder of their salvation perfect through suffering… Therefore he had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God… For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted… Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (from Hebrews 2:10, 17-18; 4:14-16)

Jesus, thank you for going through the things we struggle and suffer with!  What a help you are to us in the difficulties and challenges that we face!

I’ve been blessed and honored way beyond what I deserve!  Perhaps you feel like I do about that!

I remember receiving an honor recently from the denomination of which I am a part, choking up with emotion, and thinking… there are so many other people who are even more worthy of this than I am!  One of my mentors and teachers was in the audience that day, and if I could have, I would have run over to him and given him the award!  I just felt that way!  I’ve been so graciously and mercifully blessed!

I read a psalm this morning that deals with this issue that moved me deeply!  King David was taken from the sheepfold, was selected by God to replace Saul, was anointed by Samuel, and then in spite of his humble beginning was divinely honored and gifted to lead God’s flock, Israel!  What an honor!  What a gracious blessing!  God is the One who made him great!

Here’s the Psalm… Psalm 21

“O Lord, in Your strength the king rejoices, and in Your salvation how greatly he exults!  You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.  For You meet him with rich blessings; You set a crown of fine gold upon his head.  He asked life of You; You gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.  His glory is great through Your salvation; splendor and majesty You bestow on him.  For You make him most blessed forever; You make him glad with the joy of Your presence.  For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved… Though your enemies plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.  For You will put them to flight… Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength! We will sing and praise Your power.”

So here I am again today, blown away by blessings and honor the Lord has sent my way – so undeserved!  So graciously given!  Thank you Lord!  Thank you!!