Coffee With The Lord

The search… the search for reality, the search for significance and purpose, the search for truth and wisdom (real wisdom!) … and if the truth be known really a search for God! Perhaps you remember your search… Where did it end up? Were you satisfied? I remember mine… And this morning I read about Agur’s, a guy whose words are recorded in Proverbs – honest word, frustrated words – but words that have an answer, a very satisfying answer!

Agur cries out, “I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God and worn out! Surely I am too stupid to be a man! I do not have the understanding of a man!”

Then he admits, “I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One!”

Finally, Agur follows it up with profound and probing questions: “Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the end of the earth? What is His name and what is His sons name? Surely you know!?” (Quoted from Proverbs 30:1-4 ESV) Job, in the Old Testament, uttered questions like this and found the answer, just as I have (check out Job 28 in your Bible!).

Let me tell you, I’ve found the answer to that quest – those questions! The answer to it all is “the Living God” – Creator God – “the Almighty God!” He has revealed Himself in all that has made – the world in which we live, the universe! He has not left us to flounder in our search – the answers are provided in His inspired word – the Bible! And “His Son” – as we’re told in Scripture: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth!” (John 1:14). He is the Lord Jesus Christ – the One who reveals the Heavenly Father to us and is our Savior!

Yes, Agur… your questions – your search – is like that of many people today! And as a Christian let me tell you I’ve found the answer!!

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a passage that is as current as the headlines and what you’ll see and hear about it in the evening news… Zephaniah 3:9-20. Now, to be sure, it has special significance prophetically for the nation of Israel – “the Holy Land”… But it doesn’t end there. Zephaniah’s prophecy has deep significance and wonderful encouragement for God’s people, regardless of their ethnicity, as they approach the “times of difficulty,” prophesied at the “end of history!” (cp. 2 Timothy 3:1ff)

Here’s a portion of what Zephaniah prophesied:

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil!

“On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing… Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth! At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.” (From Zephaniah 3:14–20 ESV)

Those are not my words… and they certainly are not the words of the enemies of Israel today! They are God’s declared word! Read the entire 3rd chapter of Zephaniah… God’s will deal with those who resist His plan and persecute His people… And His wonderful promises include, not only Israel, but all of God’s people regardless of their ethnicity and nationality! Praise the Lord!!!

“An evil man is ensnared in his transgressions, but a righteous man sings and rejoices!” (Proverbs 29:6) Don’t be deceived… The choices are deceptive bondage (in the name of freedom) or true freedom – the result of a righteous life!!