Coffee With The Lord

You try to hold it in, but sometimes you just blurt out what you’ve been thinking about – what’s on your heart! I read a passage during “coffee with the Lord” in which David, the Psalmist did just that… I have to admit, I agree wholeheartedly with what David blurted out… Here’s what he said…

“O LORD, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life! Let me realize how quickly my life will pass! Look, you make my days short-lived, and my life span is nothing from your perspective. Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor (in fact he said that twice in this Psalm – must have been something that really impressed him about that)… But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying? You are my only hope!” (Psalm 39:4–7, 11 the NET Bible)

I’ve watched people who seemed to exhibit vitality and health in a few months of disease waste away and quickly die! I’ve watched fortunes disappear overnight and turn rich, affluent, seemingly secure individuals into paupers. A freak car accident can turn a vibrant youth into a paraplegic. An aggressive virus or bacteria can rob a brilliant mind and leave it vacant and confused… What can I say? The Psalmist’s blurted word are true! His prayer is appropriate for us all. How does the Bible put it… “No one knows what a day may bring forth!” (Proverbs 27:1)

Months ago I stood at the top of a mountain… one moment I couldn’t see anything! A cloud covered everything from view. Seconds later, and a slight breeze dissipated the vapor of the cloud… a beautiful mountain scene greeted my gaze with majestic wildlife all around! Life is like that… one moment a tragedy… but with God the next moment can be eternal glory! Oh God, help me live this brief life (and make it count) with the eternal hope and horizon in view!

At a crossroads – A significant junction in our lives – we’ve all faced it and felt it! We have a decision to make – what direction will we go? Perhaps that’s how you feel today…
This morning in my Bible reading Jeremiah, the prophet, spoke about it to God’s people, Judah. As I read what he had to say, the challenge of it spoke deeply to my heart… Perhaps it will speak powerfully to yours as well…
“The LORD said to his people: ‘You are standing at the crossroads! So consider your path. Ask where the old, reliable paths are. Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it! If you do, you will find rest for your souls.’ ”
I don’t know about you, but I want to choose wisely! I want and need “the blessing of the Lord” on my life!
I can tell you, I DON’T want to respond like Jeremiah’s audience…“But they said, ‘We will not follow it!’ …. They said, ‘We will not pay attention!’

(from Jeremiah 6:16–17 the NET Bible)

Think of all the different ways people seek security – all the things they put their trust in to provide it… Money, possessions, investments, insurance, a job, relationships, their own ingenuity and ability, multiple passwords, home security systems, firearms, politicians (of all things to seek security in this seems the most unwise!) and many more…

Now read the following from God’s word…

“Turn away from evil! Do what is right! Then you will enjoy lasting security. For the Lord promotes justice, and never abandons his faithful followers. They are permanently secure! … The godly speak wise words and promote justice. The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip… Take note of the one who has integrity! Observe the godly! For the one who promotes peace has a future. Sinful rebels are totally destroyed; evil men have no future. But the Lord delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble. The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from evil men and delivers them, for they seek his protection.” (from Psalm 37:27–40 the NET Bible)

Hey, I don’t care how you cut it… ultimately, in a world like ours, the only security that matters and lasts comes from the Lord!