Coffee With The Lord

Have you ever pictured yourself as a “sheep in the Good Shepherd’s flock” and the Lord as the shepherd over the flock that you’re a part of?  That is the unstated assumption of the 23^rd Psalm you know!  Come on, use your imagination – picture yourself as one of the sheep of His flock… and Him as your shepherd – the “Good Shepherd” (cp. John 10:1-21)  I did…  Incredibly uplifting!  Wonderfully peace bringing! 

But on the other hand, imagine yourself out in the wilderness alone with all its dangers and predator animals – alone, without a shepherd!

I mean think about it for a while – which would you choose?  (Compare the pics)

The choice is not difficult for me!  I want and need the Shepherd’s leadership, care, protection and provision!  And I admit, I would find great comfort as an inexperienced lamb within a flock of more mature sheep with a shepherd’s care.

Listen, if you know Jesus, you’re one of the sheep in His flock … not the only one, but one of the “sheep” in His flock that is important to Him.  In fact, Luke’s gospel declares that if you, or any of the other sheep, would go astray He’d put everything else aside to seek them (or you)! (Luke 15:1-8)   

The 23^rd Psalm, which I read this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord,” declares that the Lord provides for those who are a part of His flock, He leads them, satisfies their deepest hunger and thirst, He heals their wounds, walks with them through frightening valleys as dark as death, is their security and protector, and He causes abundant lifelong blessing to come their way!  In fact, being a part of the Lord’s flock has as its benefit blessings that never end… in this life AND the life to come!  Check it out…

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!” (Psalm 23 ESV)

I tell you, I think the Psalmist was on to something really important!  I want the Lord to be “my Shepherd!”  I want to be a part of His “flock!”

Anyone who has had the responsibility of overseeing and leading a group of people (even born again, Christian people) has had to deal with rivalry – petty, jealous, competitiveness that sometimes surfaces within the group.  Someone does something that is perceived as an attempt to impress, get “an inside track” on the others, or gain an unfair advantage, and jealousy, animosity, and anger rears its ugly head!  Unity is threatened, the mission is clouded, vision evaporates, and shared values are compromised.  A sense of “team” disappears and suddenly it’s “every person for themselves!”

Well it happened among Jesus’ team of 12 – and Jesus provides “spiritual leaders” today an excellent case study in how to deal with this challenging situation (it’s found in Matthew 20:20-28)…

The problem – destructive rivalry – reared its ugly head…

“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.  And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ … And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers!”

Jesus did not delay, He dealt with situation immediately by emphasizing “Kingdom values” (He emphasized that in Kingdom efforts we serve together as “servants” – we do not seek to gain advantage over one another with power and position, as the broader culture often does)…

“But Jesus called them [the 12] to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.  IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU [a very powerful phrase in the Greek]!  But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave!

And then He provided the potent power of His personal example – He modeled the behavior and values that He emphasized!

“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many!”

It seems to me Jesus provided a wonderful pattern for any spiritual leader in dealing with this issue… When the problem surfaces > the values are emphasized and taught > then the leader personally provides a model of the behaviors expected in a team effort.

My response?  Lord, when destructive competitive rivalry rears its ugly head in any effort I am responsible to lead, help me to follow your example!

I know and realize Psalm 21 is the personal heartfelt expression of gratitude and praise by David, as king of Israel… It is uniquely his Psalm of thanksgiving for all the Lord had done for him as the leader of God’s people.  But after having read it today during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I decided to personalize it as an expression of gratitude from a common man for all the Lord has done for me!!!  Here it is rephrased as my personal expression of praise…

“Oh Lord, in your strength I rejoice, in your salvation I greatly exult!  So many times You have given me my heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of my lips!  You’ve met me with rich blessings and have crowned my life with so many things that are precious and valuable.  I asked life of you, and you’ve have given it to me – length of days that started in the past and reach from now into forever!  I glory in your salvation!  You’ve crowned me with so much more than I deserve!  I am most blessed now and forever!  You make me glad with the joy of Your presence!  I trust in You, and through your steadfast love I will not me moved!  Be exalted, Oh Lord in Your strength!  I will sing and praise You for you are powerful!” (Psalm 21 1-7 and 13 adapted for my personal worship)

I don’t know if it captures your heart as it did mine today, but if it does, I encourage you to use it to offer your heartfelt thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for all He has done – and does for you!