Coffee With The Lord

I think we all tend to think of some people as especially “holy” – “saints” if you want to use the term. (Incidentally, that is what the word means in a literal sense … “holy ones”) Truly “holy” people, in our estimation, are very righteous, prayerful, “tuned into God”, knowledgeable about God and His word, kind, generous, given to compassionate acts and recognized as “holy” by others.

I’m OK with that … there are people like that. But I think all of that leads to a misconception about who ought to be “holy” if we’re not careful.

In my opinion, one of the really good things about the Reformation was that it led to emphasis that EVERYONE who followed Jesus– that put their trust in Him for salvation and had experienced “new birth” WAS “HOLY” – A “SAINT” IF YOU PLEASE. The leaders in the Reformation spoke of “the Priesthood of all believers.”

Sometimes we think of that idea as simply a New Testament idea. That’s not true… In my Bible reading this morning I encountered these words in Leviticus of all places…

“The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OF ISRAEL and say to the: ‘Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy!”(Leviticus 19.1-2) And then a phrase follows over and over again in the following verses that establishes the basis for their “holiness”… “I am the Lord your God! … I am the Lord your God! … I am the Lord your God!…”

So really this is a consistent pattern and principle in the Bible. Holiness is not something limited to a special caste of people! It is something that applies to everyone who is a follower of the “Living God” And the practical application of that in my life is that principle – that truth – that reality – needs to influence and govern every aspect of my daily living! THE “LIVING GOD” – THE HOLY GOD – URGES ME… “BE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY!” Oh, I want to be that way in my life, Father God!!

Here I am, sitting this morning thinking about all the incredible miracle stories of God’s protection, provision, healing, help and leadership that my mother and dad told me. As a boy I could listen to them for hours! Now I’ve got a few of my own stories to tell! I want to pass on the legacy of God’s faithfulness and power to my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and students and friends!

Thought of that as I read these words from the Bible this morning…

“WE HAVE HEARD IT WITH OUR EARS, O GOD; OUR ANCESTORS HAVE TOLD US WHAT YOU DID IN THEIR DAYS, IN DAYS LONG AGO. With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors; you crushed the peoples and made our ancestors flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for your people… I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but You give us victory… In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever!” (Psalm 44:1–8 NIV)

Tell them… share them… preserve them! They’re “spiritual legacy!” They’ll impact and challenge the coming generation and generations to come!

Today in my Bible reading I was reminded of the repeated refrain of Psalms 42-43… The Psalmist engages in “self-talk” as he struggles with discouragement, despondency and a season of depression… He asks himself, “Why are you cast down,  O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? – [And then as someone who trusts the Lord he answers himself from his own faith and confidence in God…] Hope in God!  For I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God!” (Psalm 42:5, 11 and 43:5 ESV)

During my “prayer run” today as I reflected on those words A 4-FOLD STRATEGY came to mind… I offer it to anyone today who is experiencing the feelings and situation of the Psalmist…

HEAR O God!

HEED my cry!

HELP me!

…And HALLELUJAH!!!!

Hey, I’m confident He’ll do it – HE’LL HEAR, HEED AND HELP… OH, HALLELUJAH!!!