Coffee With The Lord

Each day I spend time reading, reflecting on, and applying God’s word to my life… It is a special time, a treasured time, a “centering time,” a spiritually nourishing and a life-transforming time!  I call it “Coffee with the Lord.” 

Today in my Bible reading I began reading the longest chapter in the Bible – Psalm 119!  I would describe it as a many faceted gem, celebrating and honoring God’s word. 

In the first section of the Psalm – verses 1-8, two words… two themes stood out to me: 

BLESSING!  “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart!” (vss. 1-2)  Oh, let me tell you, I want that blessing!  I want to live that way! 

FOCUSED!  “You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.”  The blessing comes when I focus on what God’s word says and teaches – with a resolve to obey it!  I don’t simply want to read God’s word, or just know God’s word – I want to live by it, obey it, and order my life by it!  The result?  Incredible blessing! 

Two words – two keys to a blessed life! 

A blessing for fellow Christians from the Bible on this “Lord’s Day” … “Peace, and love with faith from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! And grace be with all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible! (From Ephesians 6:23-24)

Our culture worships human accomplishments and performance… which leads to confidence… which, without Biblical and spiritual self-understanding leads to arrogance and pride… which ultimately leads to folly, and expresses itself as sin!

It just seems like there has been so much of this kind of thing lately… “I can…!  I will…!  I can assure you if I’m in charge, I’ll…!  I’ve accomplished this…!  I’ve achieved that!”  Gloating!  Trash talk!  Intimidation!  Self-acclaimed glory!

In light of all of that, how refreshing read Psalm 115 this morning!  It helped me keep things in perspective – God’s perspective!  Here’s some of what it says…

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory!  For the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness! … Oh Israel, trust in the Lord!  He is your help and shield.  O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!  He is your help and shield.  You who fear [reverence] the Lord, trust in the Lord!  He is your help and shield!  The Lord has remembered us; He will bless us!  He will bless those who fear [reverence] the Lord, both the small and the great! … We will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!  Praise the Lord! (From Psalm 115)

Reminded me of something the New Testament says… “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.  For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness,’ and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’  So let no one boast in men! … What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (from 1 Corinthians 3:18-21; 4:7)

Wise people… godly people… give God the credit for anything they accomplish – they honor Him for any abilities they possess!  “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name we give glory! … Praise the Lord!”  That’s the way I want to live!