Coffee With The Lord

My reflection and response to Matthew 4:1-11

I used to tell every student of mine at SAGU where I taught for over 35 years… “Write this in the flyleaf of every Bible you own: “THIS BOOK IS MY ALL-SUFFICIENT GUIDE FOR FAITH AND DAILY LIVING!’”

In this passage that addresses Satan’s temptation of our Savior (on 3 different occasions – typical situations) Jesus modeled how to overcome the temptations by utilizing and applying the truth of God’s Word!

May I always follow His example!

There is an old worship song that goes, “After all He’s done for me, after all He’s done for me – How could I do less than give Him my best, and live for Him completely; after all He’s done for me?”

Isaiah 5 speaks of a “love song concerning God’s vineyard” (Jerusalem and Judah – God’s people). The Lord had redeemed His people from bondage, rescued them and provided for them on multiple occasions. He sustained them through the wilderness, defended them and prospered them!

Their response? … Complaint, disobedience, rebellion and idolatry! So He asks, “What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done for it? I looked for it to yield grapes – why did it yield wild grapes? I will remove its hedge (its protection)! I will break down its wall! I looked for justice, but behold bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!”

What ungratefulness! As a redeemed child of God I never want to be guilty of that! “AFTER ALL HE’S DONE FOR ME…”

“Paradigm” or “Paradigmatic” – Big words! A paradigm is a typical example or pattern of something; a model. If something (or someone) is paradigmatic it serves as a typical example or model of something.

ENOCH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IS PARADIGMATIC FOR DISCIPLESHIP! … The Bible says, “Enoch WALKED with God, and he was not, for God took him.” (I just read it this morning in Genesis 5:24!)

Discipleship consistently in Scripture is described as a WALK! It’s not a sprint – you can’t jump into a high powered spiritual vehicle and speed to “Christ-likeness’ – You can’t board a heavenly trans-cosmic airline and shortcut the challenges to get to Heaven. In discipleship it’s one step with God after another – a day-by-day journey – even moment-by-moment and event after event! Sometimes it may seem tedious and a bit boring. Other times it’s exciting and challenging. Even when the word “run” is used in the Bible in the context of discipleship, the exhortation is “run with patience.” (Hebrews 12:1) It is Paul’s favorite word for the Christian life in Ephesians (2:10; 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15).

Enoch “walked with God” for over 300 years… before there was a Bible or other spiritual resources, before there were regular “church services,” before there were “pastors.” One day as he “walked with God” he was no more on earth – “the Lord took him!” Even the idea of being “caught away” into heaven to be with the Lord is a part of Enoch’s account!

Gotta tell you… I’ve decided to “walk with God!” Today, tomorrow – this year and the ones that follow – wherever He leads, whatever it takes! And I’ll look forward to the day I’m caught away to be with the Lord (as was Enoch) … Yup, ENOCH IS “PARADIGMATIC” FOR CHRISTIANS!