Coffee With The Lord

Ever fail the Lord and foul up! I have… I failed the Lord and sinned! I fell flat on my face and did it again! You, like me, may have promised yourself (and God) you wouldn’t… but you did! And this wasn’t the first time this had happened! You feel awful… you feel condemned! You know you don’t deserve forgiveness, but you need it… You need it big time! Those were some of my thoughts today as I read Psalm 51.

Listen to some of David’s prayer for forgiveness after his terrible failure and sin with Bathsheba…

“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love! Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts! Wash away my wrongdoing! Cleanse me of my sin! For I am aware of my rebellious acts; I am forever conscious of my sin… You desire integrity in the inner man; you want me to possess wisdom… Grant me the ultimate joy of being forgiven! … Hide your face from my sins! Wipe away all my guilt! Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me! Do not reject me! Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me! Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance! Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey! … Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; you do not desire a burnt sacrifice. The sacrifices you desire are a humble spirit— O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject!” (from Psalm 51 the NET Bible)

You know what? God hears prayers like that and he honors them!

Here’s what Apostle John had to say about it… 1 John 1:8–9 (NIV)   “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness!” And to that I say, “Whew! Praise the Lord!

Watched the news last night and heard an incredibly wealthy man pontificating about things as though he were the fount of wisdom for everything.  It appeared as though he felt his wealth had purchased for him a level of influence that should be unquestioned.  He apparently thought he was right and anyone else who disagreed with him was wrong.  He exuded confidence and arrogance… I’m not at all sure though that his views were accurate and truly characterized by wisdom.

I was reminded of his display of arrogance and confidence this morning as I read Psalm 49 in my Bible…

“Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when the sinful deeds of deceptive men threaten to overwhelm me?  They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches…They name their lands after themselves, but, despite their wealth, people do not last… Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich and his wealth multiplies!  For he will take nothing with him when he dies; his wealth will not follow him down into the grave.  He pronounces this blessing on himself while he is alive: ‘May men praise you for you have done well for yourself!’ But wealthy people do not understand they are like animals that perish.”

Now there is nothing wrong with being rich – if the rich person lives in the “fear (or reverence) of the Lord and understands their responsibility for the wise management of what God has allowed them to have.  Here is what Apostle Paul had to say on that subject:  “Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.  Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.  In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

My prayer today?  Lord help me to keep things in proper perspective and understand that true wisdom and lasting influence do not come from wealth – they are instead sourced in humility and “the fear of the Lord!”

Mount Zion… Where God reveals Himself! Where God’s people gather to honor and exalt him! I read one of the songs of Zion this morning during “coffee with the Lord” and it provoked praise in my heart and upon my lips… Here’s just a few select lines from the song that especially spoke to me today…

“The Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise! … We have heard about God’s mighty deeds, and now we have seen them! … We reflect only your loyal love, O God! … The praise you receive as far away as the ends of the earth is worthy of your reputation, O God! … God, our God, is our defender forever! He guides us!” (from Psalm 48)

Hey, it’s true! He has done great things! His character is excellent and without any fault! His love is steadfast! His reputation is impeccable! He is our Savior, defender, and guide! He is worthy of praise! I believe I’m having a “Mount Zion experience!”