Coffee With The Lord

Moses was an exemplary leader… not a “perfect” leader (his presumptive sin at Meribah proved that – Numbers 20:1-13), but he was referred to repeatedly in Scripture as “the man of God!”  He certainly was a “Spiritual leader” and knew the vital importance of intercessory prayer on behalf of the nation of Israel!

I was deeply challenged the other day during my time of “coffee with the Lord” about this feature of his ministry as a spiritual leader as I read Deuteronomy 9 and 10.  Here is what Moses said about his intercession on behalf of Israel in his own words…

“Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people.  Remember and do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness.  From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord.  Even at Horeb you provoked the Lord to wrath and the Lord was so angry with you the He was ready to destroy you.  When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the Lord made with you, I REMAINED ON THE MOUNTAIN FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS, I NEITHER ATE BREAD NOR DRANK WATER… (9:6-9)

“You turned aside quickly from the way that the Lord had commanded you.  So I took hold of the two tablets and threw them out of my two hands and broke them before your eyes.  THEN I LAY PROSTRATE BEFORE THE LORD AS BEFORE, FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS.  I NEITHER ATE BREAD NOR DRANK WATER, BECAUSE OF ALL THE SIN THAT YOU HAD COMMITTED… I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the Lord bore against you, so that He was ready to destroy you.  But the Lord listened to me that time also… (9:16-19)

“At Taberah also, and at Massah and at Kibroth-hattavah you provoked the Lord to wrath.  And when the Lord sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, ‘Go up and take possession of the land that I have given you,’ then you rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God and did not believe Him or obey His voice.  You have been rebellious against the Lord from the day that I knew you.  SO I LAY PROSTRATE BEFORE THE LORD FOR THESE FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS, BECAUSE THE LORD HAD SAID HE WOULD DESTROY YOU.  AND I PRAYED TO THE LORD, ‘O Lord God, do not destroy Your people and Your heritage, whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand… (9:22-26)

“I MYSELF STAYED ON THE MOUNTAIN, AS AT THE FIRST TIME FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS AND THE LORD LISTENED TO ME AT THAT TIME ALSO.  The Lord was unwilling to destroy you.  And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise, go on your journey at the head of they people, so that they may go in and possess the Land, which I swore to their fathers to give them.’” (10:10-11)

Wow!  How many times did Moses have to intercede for this rebellious and wayward nation?  How many times did he engage in “forty days and forty nights” of fasting and prayer?  The question that comes to my mind is, am I willing to persist in intercession for our nation as he was for his?  Am I unwilling to give up?  Am I going to sustain prophetic prayer – the prayer of a determined spiritual leader – that God spare our nation and bring it repentance and revival.  Lord help me to do it!

I enjoyed a wonderful season of worship this morning at the “church” (the gathering of believers – NOT the building; because a building is NEVER a “church” in Scripture!) I attend and of which I am a part.  The Lord’s presence seemed so real!  The singing was vibrant and heartfelt.  The instrumental support was not simply “performance” – it was done worshipfully, with excellence!  Prayer time was filled with faith and expectancy!  The pastor’s message was God-glorifying and an “echo” of what Scripture teaches!  Opportunity was given for individuals to respond in faith and commitment to the “good news” – the “gospel!”  Oh what a wonderful day – the “Lord’s Day” – the day Christians (followers of Jesus) around the world, have chosen to celebrate and worship God!

And then I recalled my Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord” … Psalm 92, entitled “A Song for the Sabbath” – How appropriate for the Christian day of worship – “the Lord’s Day!”

“It is GOOD to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning [that’s what we did this morning!] and your faithfulness by night [that’s what I’m doing right now!]… For You, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy!  How great are your works, O Lord!  Your thoughts are very deep! … The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  They are planted in the house of the Lord!  They flourish in the courts of our God!  They will bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green!  They declare that the Lord is upright!  He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him!” (From Psalm 92 ESV)

Ahh… The Psalm captures my sentiments this Lord’s Day perfectly!  It was another great “Lord’s Day” – A great day worshipping with fellow Christians… And a day reflecting on God’s goodness and greatness at home later in the day!  I just love Sundays… “the Lord’s Day!”

Babies and small children are a special gift from God! Such potential! Such possibilities!
The church body I am a part of “dedicates” children (and their parents) to the Lord. Others practice infant baptism. I could address the theological issues related to each approach but will not. My point today is simply to affirm the fact that I believe there is something powerful – something “prophetic” – in such ceremonies! I believe God honors the words spoken over small children and the commitments that parents or caregivers make in those kinds of occasions. In fact, if I am attending such a ceremony I pay particular attention to words that are spoken and utter a strong “Amen!” whenever possible. If I am conducting (or participating in) such a ceremony, I trust the Lord to guide and prompt my words through the power of the Holy Spirit! I personally believe God can and will guide me prophetically and will honor what is said and affirmed.
Yesterday, during “coffee with the Lord,” I was reminded of this as I read the story of Jesus and his “presentation” at the temple very early in His life. I also read of His development physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually subsequent to that occasion. My belief? Every Christian parent of a small child would desire what the Bible says about Jesus following that “presentation” occasion to be true of their child! Here’s the record…
“And when the time came… they brought Jesus up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord… Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.’ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And there was a prophetess, Anna… She was advanced in years… she did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him [Jesus] to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem… And they returned into Galilee, to the town town of Nazareth. And the child [Jesus] grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him! … And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man!” (From Luke 2:22-52)
Isn’t that what you want for your child… and if you’re a grandparent, for your grandchildren? I believe it is also what you want for the children of your friends and other family members as well! … For them to grow and become strong, filled with wisdom… enjoying the favor of God… Growing physically, emotionally, and spiritually… Becoming all that God created them to be! And if you have a small child and haven’t “presented them to the Lord” yet… May I be one voice urging you to do it… Not because it will “save them” (that will be their personal decision as they are exposed to the Gospel and put their trust in Jesus Christ for themselves), but because God honors such pledges and prophetic blessings. After all, it’s just as much a personal commitment for you as a parent or caregiver to keep them under the influence of the Gospel as it is a presentation of the child!