Coffee With The Lord

Meditating this morning on the shortest Psalm… the shortest chapter… in the Bible – Psalm 117.  But boy, does it pack a wallop!!  I mean, just think about comprehensiveness of these concepts!! …

• All nations… All people!!
• Great love!!
• Faithfulness that endures forever!!

So this is what the Psalm says… 

“PRAISE THE LORD, all you NATIONS!

Extol Him, all you PEOPLES!

For GREAT IS HIS LOVE toward us!

The FAITHFULNESS of the Lord ENDURES FOREVER!

PRAISE THE LORD!

So here I am with my cup of coffee this morning blown away by His great love and enduring faithfulness trying, in my feeble way to adequately praise and extol Him!!  Perhaps, just perhaps, the Holy Spirit can assist me today (cp. Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14-18)… Ya think?

“Just a Sip” from my Bible reading this morning… From Psalm 111 in celebration of the Lord’s “WORKS” (all He has done, is doing and will do!)… Think about it!

“Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Great are THE WORKS OF THE LORD,

studied by all who delight in them.

Full of splendor and majesty is HIS WORK,

and His righteousness endures forever.

He has caused HIS WONDROUS WORKS to be remembered;

The Lord is gracious and merciful.

He provides food for those who fear Him;

He remembers His covenant forever.

He has shown His people THE POWER OF HIS WORKS,

in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

THE WORKS OF HIS HANDS are faithful and just;

all His precepts are trustworthy;

They are established forever and ever,

to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.”

– From Psalm 111 ESV

Here’s an incredibly important couple of verses for followers of Jesus – a part of my Bible reading today during “coffee with the Lord” (first the verses – then a few comments)…

“Be imitators of God as beloved children! And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV)

Gotta say… “IMITATING GOD IS A ‘TALL ORDER!’”  Talk about totally intimidating! I feel completely unqualified and incapable!

But as an early “dad” I had a great illustration of its incredible truth and beauty (taught me SO much!”  Our daughter, Shari, was an “infant/toddler.”  One morning at breakfast, I had picked up my spoon and was eating cereal… Something caught my eye!  I noticed Shari in the highchair, trying to hold her spoon “just like Daddy!”  It was easy, and she wasn’t doing very well, but she was sure trying!  Imitating Daddy!!  I was so moved by watching her I had to wipe away the tears – my “beloved daughter!”  And in that moment the Lord reminded me of this verse… “IMITATE GOD AS BELOVED CHILDREN!

But what, in particular, should we imitate – what pleasures Him most?  When we “WALK IN LOVE AS CHRIST LOVED US!”  Now the Greek word “walk” used here is Apostle Paul’s favorite word for “discipleship!”  He does not say “fly” or “ride” (in fact he does not even resort to “run” here) – it’s the most basic, fundamental, ancient word for movement, travel and progress – “WALK!”  It’s how we should live our lives day by day, moment by moment, event by event, opportunity by opportunity – “IMITATING HIM – LIVING OUT HIS LOVE!

And what kind of “love” of His is it that we should express – simply “Gushy, syrupy” love – sweet sentimental emotional love?  NO, far beyond merely that kind of love! Instead, the kind expressed by Christ, “WHO LOVED US AND GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR US!” … Self-sacrificing love – for Him, first of all, and then for others!

And the result – the impact of that IMITATION – THAT KIND OF LOVE, UPON GOD?  It will be “a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God!”  It will be most pleasing and acceptable to God! … Oh help me Lord – I want to live that way!!!