Coffee With The Lord

Sin and rebellion lead to God’s judgment… BUT that does not cancel out God’s gracious redemptive purposes! Psalm 78 is a testimony to that reality!

I read the sad story of human sinfulness and rebellion in the first part of this extended Psalm that led to God’s discipline and judgment… But the Psalm ends like this:

“They tested and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies, but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; they twisted like a deceitful bow. For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their idols!

“When God heard, He was full of wrath, and He utterly rejected Israel! He forsook His dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where He dwelt among mankind, and delivered His power to captivity, His glory to the hand of the foe! He gave his people over to the sword and vented his wrath on his heritage!

“BUT he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loves! He built His sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which He has founded forever. He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, Israel His inheritance. With upright heart He shepherded them and guided them with His skillful hand!” (From Psalm 78:56–72 ESV)

Oh the wonderful mercy, grace and redemptive purposes of God! Our sin leads to the Lord’s judgment and discipline, but in the face of it all, HE FINDS A WAY TO FULFILL HIS WONDERFUL REDEMPTIVE PURPOSES! Praise the Lord!!

“AUTHORITY” – Ever see it ABUSED? Ever felt the sting and pain of authority’s abuse? Oh and the damage and destruction it causes!

On the other hand, the appropriate, discerning, wise and GODLY USE of authority can bring peace out of chaos, solve problems, bring efficiency, and enhance leadership success!

This morning during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” I read Apostle Paul’s personal VALUE STATEMENT on “the use and abuse of authority” … It’s found twice in his 2nd letter to the church in Corinth (a church that challenged and resisted His apostolic authority)…

“Authority, which the Lord gave me for building you up and not tearing you down!” (From 2 Corinthians 10:8 and 13:10)

So this is what I wrote in the margin of my Bible today: “The use and abuse of authority – as a leader I must get it right – and keep it right! Help me Lord!”

“BEWARE!! …

…”Of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who want greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show!”…

“Sitting across from the temple treasury, he watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning his disciples, he said to them ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others! For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had – all she had to live on!’” (From Mark 12:38-44 CSB)

WOW! What a contrast!!

The religious elite – the “high and mighty” – HYPOCRITES! …Contrasted with a poor, but spiritually devoted widow – RIGHTEOUS!

Now don’t get me (or the Lord, for that matter) wrong! I know some sincere, authentic, godly “scribe” sorts… Advanced degrees from prestigious theological seminaries, tenured respected “profs,” upper echelon leaders of large religious bodies… They’re not ALL like those the Lord described in these verses! But, believe me, there are OTHERS! Proud, arrogant, self-seeking, HYPOCRITES! … BEWARE!

On the other hand, I can give you the names of some simple, sincere, devoted, selfless, SAINTS – who put the Lord and others first in everything! They don’t seek attention, position or prestige – you’ve probably never heard their name – and they’d empty their purse and pocketbook for a need, they pray fervently for the needs of others, and do anything they could “in Jesus’ name” to sustain and serve those in need! GENUINELY RIGHTEOUS!

I can tell you who I respect and honor! I can tell you who I want to be like! I can tell you who our Lord says will receive “honor and reward” instead of “harsher judgment!

BEWARE! Get it straight – Don’t be fooled… Just say’n!