Coffee With The Lord

An Old Testament “beatitude” – imagine it! We tend to think of “beatitudes” only in terms of the classic group Jesus gave us in Matthew 5:1-2 (or Luke’s grouping in Luke 6:20-23) but that is short-sighted. The form is found elsewhere in Scripture and Psalm 32 is a wonderful example of that!

The “beatitude” form is made up of 3 major elements: 1) The blessing stated… 2) The character quality or behavior that God blesses… 3) And finally the nature of the blessing itself.

The Old Testament “beatitude” in Psalm 32 articulates God’s blessing like this…

1) “Blessed is the one… Blessed is the person who…” That word blessed is really important! Its significance is that it expresses “God’s favor” upon someone! Let me tell you, to experience “God’s favor” is a wonderful thing – collaterally it results in all kinds of “blessings!” A friend of mine expressed it this way… “picture God looking at you and smiling with approval!”

2) In Psalm 32 this is what brings “God’s favor” – “God’s approving simile”… “BLESSED IS THE ONE WHOSE TRANSGRESSION IS FORGIVEN, WHOSE SIN IS COVERED” – the one “AGAINST WHOM THE LORD COUNTS NO INIQUITY AND INN WHOSE SPIRIT THERE IS NO DECEIT!” (vss.1-2) Apostle Paul expressed it this way in Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus!” Apostle John declared: “If we confess [acknowledge] our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!” (1 John 1:9) How good is that?! What a blessing!!

3) And the blessing the “beatitude” in Psalm 32 promises? … “I acknowledge my sin to You and I did not cover my iniquity! I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin! … [God speaking…] ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you!’ … Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord! Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (vss. 5, 8, 10-11)

Oh what blessing – what “favor” from the Lord… To be forgiven, made “right with God” – experiencing His righteousness and approval! Hey, believe me, it pays to acknowledge your sin and receive God’s forgiveness! What an awesome “beatitude” – even if it’s in the Old Testament! King David can tell you all about it (in addition to Psalm 32 read Psalm 51)!

A wonderfully delicious “sip” from my Bible reading today… “Oh, how abundant is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear [reverence] You and worked for those who take refuge in You! … Blessed be the Lord, for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to me!” (Psalm 31:19 & 21)

Just finished reading Matthew 24 during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” today – a passage that deals with what Jesus had to say about the “end of time” or “the last days.”

Believe me, there are just a host of competing theories about what will take place – how it will take place – the sequence of events that will occur – in “the last days” before the Lord returns!!!  “Eschatology” – the Biblical study of  “end time events” – for the average person is a confusing, scary, but interesting, study filled with controversy!  Differing Bible scholars offer a host of bewildering opinions… I could start identifying them, but it wouldn’t clear up the murky theological water for you at all…

As I was reading Matthew 24 today the differing opinions began popping into my head… and then it happened… ONE THING IS CLEAR… ONE OF THESE DAYS, WHEN MANY LEAST EXPECT IT, JESUS IS RETURNING! 

Here’s a few key things Jesus, the One who is returning, had to say…

“Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes [people groups] of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other… But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only… Therefore, stay awake [alert and ready], for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming… Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”  (From Matthew 24)

Hey, there’s much we don’t know… there debate among sincere Christians about the details… But one thing is sure… THE LORD JESUS IS COMING BACK!  I want to be alert, expectant, and ready!!!  And I want to do everything I can to help others to be ready!  Don’t you?!