Coffee With The Lord

A “model” for authentic, God-pleasing worship… Where can you find them?

Sometimes we who are older abdicate the responsibility for that worship to those who are young… that is a mistake I believe. Don’t get me wrong, I’m genuinely grateful for a younger generation that authentically worships “in Spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24) But I have to tell you, I thrill to see “older saints” enter into a worship opportunity and authentically exalt the Lord!

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read the following words in Psalm 71 and jotted this in the margin of my Bible: “Oh may this be true of my worship… 77 years old and counting!”

“You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon You I have leaned from before my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you! My mouth is filled with Your praise, and with Your glory all the day. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent!

“But I will hope continually and will praise You yet more and more! My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge! With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone! O GOD, FROM MY YOUTH YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME, AND I STILL PROCLAIM YOUR WONDROUS DEEDS! SO EVEN TO OLD AGE AND GRAY HAIRS, O GOD, DO NOT FORSAKE ME, UNTIL I PROCLAIM YOUR MIGHT TO ANOTHER GENERATION, YOUR POWER TO ALL THOSE TO COME!” (From Psalm 71 ESV)

Gonna do it! I want to be a “model of authentic, God-pleasing worship!”

“INDIGNANT!”  Can you imagine Jesus “indignant?”

I mean use your imagination… Facial features, the flash of his eyes, tone of voice, gestures… You’ve seen someone you highly respected express it – “indignation!”

What would cause Jesus to express it…

Believe it or not, it was the response of His disciples to parents who brought small children to Jesus for His blessing… Here it is right out of the Bible – the account of an “eyewitness!”

“They were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.  But when Jesus saw it, HE WAS INDIGNANT, and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me!  Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God!’ (I mean, can you imagine the flash of His eyes, the tone of voice?)  He went on to say, ‘Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it!’” (From Mark 10:13-16)

And then, “He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them.”  And I’ll bet their parents never forgot it either (or allowed their children to forget that “touch” and the blessing that went with it!)  Talk about a prime opportunity for a “cell phone pic!” (Sorry, too early for that to happen. ☹)

Just a few takeaways from that account…

• Watch your attitude to children – God has time for them, prioritizes them, and loves them!  He “blesses” their lives and their future and admires their faith and spiritual receptivity!
• Hey, some of them, are ready to receive “the Kingdom of God” before a lot of adults!  Never forget it!
• In fact Jesus declared (with a “Truly, I say to you!”) whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it!” – And I believe He meant it!
• And finally, I NEVER want to do ANYTHING that would make Him INDIGNANT!

I’ve traveled quite a bit overseas – in other countries – away from home.  I know what it is to be in another country where I do not speak the language and experience a problem or emergency… I can tell you the stories!  It’s a lonely, helpless feeling… (and on a few occasions no cell phone, no number to call, no one who understands me)!!  Some of you who travel a lot know what I’m talking about… FEELING HELPLESS!

I read the following words in my Bible this morning and was greatly encouraged!

“Hear my cry, O God!  Listen to my prayer!  From the ends of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint!” (Psalm 61.1-2)

And as I reflected on those words another passage came to mind…

 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!  If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” (Psalm 139:7–12)

 Hey, that’s good news for those who travel a lot – you can always call on Lord when you’re in need!  It’s good news for anyone who reverences (i.e. “fears”) and trusts the Lord wherever they they may be – whatever emergency they may be facing!