Coffee With The Lord

Aug 06 2022

Psalm 136… “His Steadfast Love Endures Forever!” Get It?

Just in case you’ve ever doubted it or wondered… The covenant-love – the “steadfast love” – the love of God that is anchored in His very nature and character continues to be expressed today and on into eternity!… It was expressed here on earth: first of all in creation… then in what God did for His people in the Old Testament, it was epitomized when Jesus died for our sins on the Cross, and continues to be expressed every day in a myriad of ways, experiences, and circumstances! Nothing.. No one!… No situation!… No circumstance!… can separate us from His love!!!

I read a wonderful Psalm devoted to that kind of love today… Psalm 136. It is like two choirs antiphonally responding to one another: One choir sings of a historical instance of God’s steadfast love, the other responds with a repeated affirmation of it (believe me, you should read it!) Here is the repeated refrain…

“…His steadfast love endures forever!

Get it?… It’s repeated 26 times in one psalm!! That’s why I’m ready today to lay claim to Romans 8:37-39 as a foundational, unshakable, dependable, truth in the Bible…

“No! In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!”

Aug 05 2022

Exploring the Significance of “The NAME of the Lord?”

Connected with your “name” is your reputation… Have you thought about that? A probing thought isn’t it – perhaps even a bit frightening! …Your reputation! Of course your name stands for who you are… but it’s more than that to others… It’s based upon what people know of you personally – it’s based upon what you have done (or not done).

Recently I read an article (I can’t even remember the author now or the title of the article) – but the author argued that “the Name” of the Lord stood for more than God Himself, or even God’s character – it also included His reputation. The article was well done from a Biblical studies perspective, was persuasively argued, and I would have to say deepened my appreciation for the phrase “the Name of the Lord.”

Think about it – “the Name of the Lord” in terms of “His reputation!” I did today as I read Psalm 135 during my time of “Coffee with the Lord.” Here are a few reflections based upon my journaling today…

The Psalmist begins by urging his readers to “Praise the Lord” – to “Praise the NAME of the Lord!” – especially those who are to be found in “the house – the courts – of the Lord!” (OK now… engage your thinking not only regarding Who He is, His character, but only think about the Lord’s reputation!”

Then in verses 3-6 of the Psalm, the Psalmist highlights praising Him for His character… His is good, He is great (or supreme), He is sovereign (He does as He pleases)!

Then the Lord’s acts in creation (He is not only Creator, but also sustainer of everything) – vss. 6-7.

In verses 8-12 and 14 the Lord’s “reputation” (His “Name”) especially comes into play on behalf of His people – He is their Deliverer/Savior, their Defender, He is Victor and Provider! “YOUR NAME O LORD, ENDURES FOREVER, YOUR RENOWN (reputation), THROUGHOUT ALL AGES!” (vs. 13)

Contrast that reality – that reputation – with idols – other false gods (vss. 15-18)!

And Psalm 135 ends as it began… With a challenge – a call – to “Bless the Lord – to “Praise Him!” (vss.19-21)

Hear me… I’m going to praise the Lord for Who He is! I’m going to praise Him for His character! I’m going to praise Him for His mighty acts! I’m going to “PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD!” What a “reputation” the Lord has!!!

Aug 04 2022

Psalm 133 – How Good and Pleasant When God’s People Exhibit Unity!

When Sharon and I are in Montana we attend a small (but growing) church in Columbia Falls, Montana – Journey Church. A few weeks ago I was so impressed with what I observed there! I experienced a wonderful, pastoral message from God’s word about the importance of sharing you faith in Christ with others. I participated in sincere and uplifting worship. But what impressed me the most was the evident “family of God love” that congregation exhibited for each other. For these people, their “church” was not just a Sunday thing – they were really involved in each other’s lives – they were taking the love of Jesus to their community in practical and wonderful ways. They were demonstrating the truth Jesus taught… “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.35)

I thought of that this morning as I read Psalm 133 during my time of “Coffee with the Lord”…

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aarons beard, down on the collar of his robe [i.e., a picture of the blessing of “anointing”]! It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion [i.e., the blessing of the Lord that brings vitality and fruitfulness]! For THERE the Lord bestows His blessing – even life forevermore!”

Just let me say, if that atmosphere and “spirit” is sustained in that church IT WILL GROW! There is an infectious, contagious attractiveness about that kind of atmosphere, created within a congregation by the Holy Spirit, that draws people to Christ and the fellowship of believers… “THERE THE LORD BESTOWS HIS BLESSING – EVEN LIFE FOREVERMORE!”

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Psalm 136… “His Steadfast Love Endures Forever!” Get It?

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Exploring the Significance of “The NAME of the Lord?”

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Psalm 133 – How Good and Pleasant When God’s People Exhibit Unity!

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