Coffee With The Lord

IT’S SATURDAY… Yesterday was “Good Friday,” the day we remember the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross “in our place” for our sin, and “on our behalf” (our salvation)! Tomorrow we celebrate the resurrection – Easter!

Saturday was a day of “waiting” – a day of dashed hopes and sorrow! A day suspended between sacrifice and stunning victory!

Someone on Facebook asked yesterday… “What is your favorite Easter song?” On this Saturday before Easter I’d have to say, “He Arose!” It captures both Saturday and Sunday!!! Reflect on it’s words this “IN BETWEEN SATURDAY”…

“Lo in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

“Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

[But] “Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Chorus:

“Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes!
He arose the Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign!
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!”

Songwriter: Robert Lowry, 1874

Interestingly, the Bible reading plan I authored, “Necessary Food,” has the “passion narrative” of Jesus as one of the passages those that follow it read over Holy Week (in fact the crucifixion and resurrection are read “Good Friday through Easter Sunday)! It doesn’t often happen that way, but it did this year.

As I read the story of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus today (Matthew 27) I was deeply moved and reminded of what Jesus went through on our behalf!! In fact, I was AMAZED as I recalled these verses of Scripture:

“Jesus, who FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God! CONSIDER HIM who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (From Hebrews 12:2-4 ESV)

Wow! What a “Good Friday” message and focus for reflection!!!

I’ve got to admit it… watching the evening news does not leave me in a positive frame of mind!  In fact, sometimes it leaves me in despair – even anger!!  And then I get up on Wednesday morning, have my time of “coffee with the Lord,” and read a passage that clearly seems to be God speaking to me, reassuring me, challenging me to trust Him, letting me know He’s still in control…

The passage from God’s word that did all of that?  Well, here it is (I think it will help you too)…

^“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.  Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.  For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.  A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.  But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” (Psalm 37.1-11)

Thanks Lord!  I needed to hear that!!