Coffee With The Lord

Encouraging words – comforting words – reassuring words for those going through deep trials…

I read them this morning embedded in Stephen’s sermon in the book of Acts. They reminded me of the truth upon which they are based in Exodus. I believe they will be a blessing to one of my Facebook friends that is a part of the “Coffee with the Lord” group today… Someone out there needs this reminder!

The Lord spoke to Moses and said to him… “I HAVE INDEED SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT. I HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANING AND HAVE COME TO SET THEM FREE.” (Acts 7.34 NIV)

And from Exodus… “The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. GOD HEARD THEIR GROANING and He remembered His covenant … He looked on the Israelites AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THEM.” (Exodus 2.23-25 NIV)

“The Lord said, ‘I HAVE INDEED SEEN THE MISERY OF MY PEOPLE in Egypt, I HAVE HEARD THEM CRYING OUT because of their slave drivers, and I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SUFFERING. So I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM… and bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.’” (Exodus 3.7-8 NIV)

As I read those words today I was reminded of the reassuring truth in 1 Peter 5.6-7… “Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. CAST ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU!”

I don’t know who needed to be reminded of this truth today, but here it is… You may feel forgotten, even abandoned… you wonder if God is even aware of what you’re going through… HE IS! HE’S AWARE! HE’S CONCERNED! HE CARES! HE WILL ACT TO SUSTAIN YOU, HELP YOU AND RESCUE YOU! He did for His people Israel… He will for you!

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct by his works in the meekness of wisdom… The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace!!” (From James 3:13-18)

Can’t get ahead? Regardless of how hard you work, what you do, or what advisors you consult, or how many stars they have after their evaluations, you try hard but seem to be getting nowhere! What’s wrong anyway?

Interesting… I read an account like that this morning in the little book of Haggai. Here it is…

“Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: You have sown much and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes… You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away!” (Haggai, 1:5-6, 9 ESV)

And the assessment of the problem? God speaks through His prophet, “Consider your ways (stated twice!)… Is it time for you to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house [the temple] lies in ruins… Thus says the Lord of hosts… Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord… My house lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.” (Haggai 1:4-5, 7-8, 9b)

Misplaced priorities! Self before the Lord! Pre-occupation with MY house, MY security, MYprovisions, MY prosperity, MY pursuits – and neglect of the Lord’s concerns!

Jesus gave the solution for this problem in “the Sermon on the Mount”…

He said,“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (From Matthew 6:25–33 ESV)

I’m so glad that God’s people listened to the prophet and heeded God’s word (read Haggai 1:12-15)! God blessed them and prospered them powerfully and miraculously when they obeyed! Oh Lord, as a follower of You, may I always keep my focus and priorities straight… “SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU!”