Coffee With The Lord

Part of my Bible reading this morning included a wonderful passage that affirms God’s wonderful promises and ultimate purposes for His people! It ought to give every one of us confidence as we face the future (regardless of how uncertain and frightening things may seem now! As I read it today, I was reminded of this verse in 2 Corinthians 1:20… “All the promises of God find their ‘YES!’ in Him (that is in Jesus)! That is why it is through Him that we utter our ‘AMEN!’ to God for His glory!”

Here’s a taste of wonderful passage I was talking about…

“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord! … On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones… But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord… They shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue… On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. You will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth!’” (from Zephaniah 3:9–19 ESV)

Wow! God is good and God is faithful! You watch and see… It’s going to happen!

Do you have any friends or family that have “gone astray” from the Lord? They were once followers of Jesus and walked closely with Him, but something happened – they were hurt by a fellow Christian, they became disillusioned by the church they attended, they experienced a disappointment or a trial they just couldn’t get past, or they stumbled and fell because of a temptation and never recovered… Your heart aches when you see them lost and wandering around, struggling without purpose and direction, heading down dangerous pathways of life!

What should you do as a fellow Christian? What action can you take to help them as their friend?

Yesterday in my Bible reading I was deeply challenged by the inspired encouragement…

“My brothers [fellow Christians]… If anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him (or her) back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his (or her) soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)

James doesn’t tell us what to do or how to do it – but he DOES urge us to try! Listen, I’m convinced of several things… I’m convinced the Heavenly Father is working in their lives – He will go after them by His Spirit! (He has NOT abandoned them like a irresponsible parent)! I’m convinced he will hear our prayers and give us wisdom about how to approach them and what to say or do! I’m convinced of we pray the Lord will provide opportunities for us to approach them and help them return to the Lord!

I know you care! I know you love them! I know you want them desperately to begin following the Lord again! And I know you understand… Why do I know that…?

Because… “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – everyone – to his own way; and the Lord has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all!” (Isaiah 53:6)

Habakkuk 3 in the Bible begins like this… “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.” The meaning of that ancient word is uncertain and most believe it describes a musical style. Some have described it as wild, passionate, and loud. Some would love it (perhaps others dislike it). If the meaning is accurate though, it fits the content of Habakkuk 3… the passionate, prayerful expression of a prophet deeply concerned about the welfare of his nation and God’s wrathful judgment upon the wicked!

The point is this… There is a time to pray like that! A time to sing like that! And a time to pour out your heart to God like that!

Here’s a taste of Habakkuk’s prayer…

“I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by! In your anger, remember your mercy! I see You moving across the deserts from Edom, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran. Your brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with Your praise. Your coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from Your hands, where Your awesome power is hidden… You marched across the land in anger and trampled the nations in your fury. You went out to rescue your chosen people, to save your anointed ones. You crushed the heads of the wicked and stripped their bones from head to toe…

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” (From Habakkuk 3 NLT)

Just let me say… There is a time to pray like that! And a time to praise the Lord like that! Perhaps that time is NOW!