I drink a lot of coffee—probably 5-8 cups a day. I love rich, strong coffee, and I seldom dilute it with cream. Ahhhh. Just give me the coffee! It's as much about the taste and the experience of drinking it as it is about the caffeine. But it's great when I get a bit of a wake-up to go with my warm cozy moment.
One morning, as I was sitting with my coffee in hand, ready for my quiet time with my Papa God, I heard Psalm 91 calling out to me. I set my coffee down, close enough that the rich Italian roast could still waft up to my nose. I got comfortable in my recliner, opened the You Version Bible on my tablet and began to read that beloved psalm over and over, in as many different versions as I could — to let the words flow over me, warming me, just like the sun, beaming through the window.
But this particular morning, I didn't just get my warm cozy moment with a familiar scripture; I also got a welcome shot of undiluted wake-up!
I've known Psalm 91 intimately for many years, in the form of the song, 'On Eagle's Wings.' There's no telling how many times I have said, sung, and read it — and how many of those times I took for granted the power in the words.
They aren't just wishful thinking — something to comfort me when I'm afraid. There's so much more here! These are promises! They speak to me about my security in the here and now, something as certain as the sunlight coming through my window every morning, whether or not I'm reading scripture and sipping coffee.
You who sit down in the High God's presence (That would be me! I am seated in heavenly places with Him!) ... Say to him: You are my refuge! I trust in you and I'm safe! I like how The Message paraphrase describes what to do instead of just speaking in first person. These aren't just comforting words lying on a page. This psalm is a set of instructions, telling me HOW to trust and WHAT to do.
'Surely he will deliver you' from the snare of the fowler (hidden traps), from deadly plagues'.'
You know, today we usually say 'surely,' with a tone of sarcasm or a feeling of anxious wishfulness rather than the way the Bible intends it. In the Bible, 'surely,' means 'surely.' It means 'Absolutely, without a doubt.' There is no wishful thinking. It is a promise. It is truth! I really DON'T need to fear terrors of the night, arrows by day, plagues that roam at dark, or epidemics that strike at noon. For every moment of the day... when I'm sitting in my recliner with my coffee in the morning, or when I'm sleeping... I'm covered! I am protected.
In the NIV, it says 'IF YOU SAY, 'The Lord is my refuge, and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.'
IF YOU SAY...
How often do I SAY out loud that God is my refuge? How often do I proclaim out loud that Jesus is Lord of my life? How often do I dwell, actually dwell, with God? Maybe the reason I don't experience this protection in my earthly life is because I'm not really making God my refuge.
Woah! I think I felt the caffeine kicking in!
Psalm 91, likely written by Moses, tells of the security we have in God, the same security we speak of today when we talk about salvation through Christ. But it's so much more than salvation (as if that weren't enough!).
In The Message, it says: 'If you'll hold on to me for dear life, says God, I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!'
I felt like God had given me a shot of espresso. It was a wake-up call. 'Hey! If you believe my truth, speak it!' It's not just a matter of proving it to someone who might hear it. It's also a matter of being convinced, myself, of my protection.
As I sat there that morning, full of coffee and sunshine, six years cancer-free, God reminded me of the moment when I knew in my heart of hearts that melanoma wouldn't kill me. It will take a series of articles to tell that story completely, so to keep from going down 12 rabbit trails, that's as story for another day.
Perhaps when I worry about things, when I feel and believe that there's not a way out, it's because I'm not holding on to God for dear life. Maybe I don't really understand 'surely' the way it was intended. I'm not truly BELIEVING that God is for me... That God is with me.
Under the old covenant, that presence of the Lord was a transitory thing. When the Spirit came upon someone, it was temporary. But now, we WALK in the spirit. He DWELLS in us. There's no getting rid of the Spirit! So the 'surely' is even more sure than it was when Moses wrote it!
But we have to believe it. We have to KNOW that what we HEAR from the WORD of God is TRUE'. Whether what we 'see' lines up with that truth or not.
Sometimes you have to say it out loud to truly live it. Maybe that's why Jesus instructed us to PROCLAIM the Gospel, not just think about it. We have five senses. Experiencing God is more than just a thought process.
So I want to challenge you to take this scripture to heart. I'm challenging myself as well... Proclaim the truth that scripture gives you. Proclaim what's true about Jesus Christ... who is the LIVING word, the exact representation of the Father. Say it out loud, so that your own ears hear it! The more you say something aloud, the more it's imprinted on your soul.
If you don't believe that, think of all the times you've heard something negative about yourself' (and how many of those times you were the one saying it!). And then think of the things you believe about yourself. If spoken lies can become like truths to you, so can spoken truth!
In Psalm 103, David speaks to his own soul and tells it to bless the Lord! 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name!'
It's King David's version of an espresso shot! 'Dear Soul: Wake up! KNOW that you have inherited the Kingdom of God. KNOW that you walk in glory and power. KNOW that you are secure, that nothing stands against you!' The LORD'
... forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle's!
Ah Yes! Have your strong cup of coffee. Be invigorated by the truth. It's so real, you can smell it, like I can smell the Italian roast.
Proclaim it! Just like David did. Speak it to yourself. And believe it. Stir up your soul to hear the truth. Those aren't just printed words on a page! They are truth and life. And on an early morning, with the smell of Italian roast wafting into your nostrils, and the sun beaming in on you.. you will KNOW the truth, and it will absolutely set you free.
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