Coffee With The Lord

You’ve seen the pictures on the evening news… incredible devastation from all kinds of natural disasters – earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, lightening and hail – homes destroyed, cities devastated, and worst of all people who have been killed or badly injured!

Add to this the threat and devastation of war … the terrible things that people do to people.  We’ve all seen those pictures as well.  The evening news warns us… “The images you are about to see may be troubling!”  No kidding… Not just buildings blown to bits and the twisted metal of destroyed vehicles littering the streets but bloody bodies all over the place with angry people continuing to shoot at one another!

It’s enough to unsettle the most secure person and produce fear and anxiety…

I read a passage this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” that seems to speak to situations just like that… Psalm 46 (I  won’t quote it all… just enough to capture the comforting thrust of its message for those who are “God-trusters”…

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble!  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter… The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress!  Selah

“Come, behold the works of the Lord… He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.  ‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress!  Selah “

(from Psalm 46 ESV)

There it is… twice in the same passage – God’s message to “God-trusters” living in a dangerous and troubled world… “The Lord of Hosts is with us!  The God of Jacob is our fortress!”  Really hope you’re a “God-truster”!

I’ve heard a lot of introductions over the years… Speakers being introduced at conferences, those receiving awards, candidates for office, and others.  I’ve even been introduced a few times and wondered… “Who is that guy, anyway?  Do I know him?  Must be pretty impressive!”  They obviously got the promo piece that the public relations department put together… not my “rap sheet.”  Don’t be mistaken; I’m grateful that people (including my wife) can say nice things about me. 

But on a humorous note, I remember my wife telling me of a lady who was effusively “pouring on the gravy” after I had spoken at an event.  (She didn’t know at the time that Sharon was my wife.)  So Sharon identified herself… and the lady exclaimed, “Oh my, being married to him must be a real trip!”  To which my wife replied with a grin… “If you only knew… If you only knew!”

David was an exemplary, God anointed, and incredibly gifted leader!  Psalm 45 is a song honoring him… an introduction, if you please.  Here is how it starts out… “My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.  You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.  Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!” (From Psalm 45)

But then I think the one writing this tribute to David, the earthly king, became deeply aware that there was a Greater King – a Heavenly King – the “King of all Kings!” if you please… Then, to that, he exclaimed, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever!  The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness!  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.  Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions!” (vss. 6-7)

Hey listen, when we’re “pouring on the gravy” to a human leader – whoever they are – let’s keep in mind there is One before whose name, “Every  knee will bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father!” (from Philippians 2:5-11)  If there is any greatness in any of us its because of Him – because of His grace!  Let’s honor Him above all others – He deserves it!  He is our Savior and Lord – “King of all kings, Lord of all lords!”

Pretending… We usually think of it as a child’s game.  Pretending that you are someone or something you’re really not – acting like something is true or a reality, when it isn’t.  Can you think of some of the things children have pretended to be and do – things they have pretended are real when they really aren’t?  Their pretending usually brings a smile, a wink, a snicker or a Facebook pic or post.

But tragically pretending has also been an adult coping mechanism with some very sad and tragic “acting out” and deep disappointment… people denying who they really are, refusing to accept what they have done, denying the reality of a situation, or living life in a fantasy land that is completely removed from reality!

What about Easter?  Christians celebrate it today, you know!  Is belief in the resurrection a case of Christians pretending – or is it a reality?  Is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead about as real as the “Easter bunny?”

Apostle Paul would answer that question with a resounding “NO!” (In fact, he already answered it in 1 Corinthians 15 – I read his answer this morning in the Bible…)

^“But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there is no resurrection of the dead?  For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either.  And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.  And all of us have been lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead.  And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.  In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost!  And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.  But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead! … So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man, Jesus! … If there is no resurrection, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (from 1 Corinthians 15:12–33 NLT)

Can you imagine Christians who have staked their eternal future on the truth of the Gospel “pretending” about the resurrection?  Well it’s happening among professing “Christians” today – questioning that Jesus actually rose from the dead!  Well, let me say it clearly… NOT ME!  And I hope not you!  I intend to take Paul’s words very seriously!  Easter is about the actual death, burial, AND RESURRECTION of Jesus from the dead!  I’m pinning my eternal hope on that reality!  It’s not a pretend truth to make people feel good – It’s a historical reality!  It gives us “HOPE!” by the Biblical definition – confident expectation!