COFFEE ON THE DOCK

While my private thoughts may be hidden from others, all my thoughts, wishes, fears, motives or aspirations are in full view of the Lord. He examines all my paths, not only those I have already taken but even those I merely consider pursuing. This would be a moment by moment battle of wills if I were still of the impression that my life was my own, but this issue is settled; I must decrease, He must increase. Though at times I forget to acknowledge His ever-present examinations, He never, ever looses track; not even for the smallest measurement of time. This is sometimes disconcerting, but even my consternation is a sign of His Wondrous Meddling. Glorious Father, it is true, I am Yours. Have Your way in me in every way and at all times.  

In Isaiah it speaks of God’s power rushing in: “Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing”. This is how His judgment comes against the Prince of Darkness. This is how His love is poured forth to the anguished of heart. This is how His forgiveness floods to the repentant heart; like a flood of mighty waters that washes away any evidence of what has been before. His cleansing power decimates strongholds, uproots the foundations of generational curses and breaks the power of personal failures. His forgiveness is not forgetfulness, it is intentional, costly, complete forgiveness wrought by our Redeemer. How dare we fall prey to condemnation when our brokenness as been so thoroughly rectified by His sacrifice? LORD, thank You for Your cleansing flood of forgiveness. 

It is said: “Ignorance is bliss”. Not really. According to the bible:   “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”;   lack of understanding is destructive. But sometimes, the more you learn about something or someone, the worse it gets. That is why Scripture states: “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth  come  knowledge and understanding”. Knowledge without wisdom and understanding that comes only from God is useless. Wisdom can reveal blessings in the worst of circumstances. Understanding can turn loss into gain, pain into praise and fear into faith. The lesson here is simple, knowledge must be bathed in wisdom. The work of God’s Word and Spirit is to reveal divine understanding to earthly knowledge. Father, You are the Eternal Fountain of Wisdom and You have promised it freely to those who ask. Grant me wisdom this day and always.  

Our family lived in Costa Rica for a few years and on several occasions we visited Mt. Poas, a very active volcano that has erupted dozens of times in recorded history. We were always dazzled by the spectacular view of the huge, steaming crater. On a couple of visits we never saw more than clouds; its incredible power and girth shrouded by something as fleeting and inert as vapor. In like manner, passing clouds of needs and desires often obscure my view of God’s greatness and might. However, His power is always there whether I see it or not. Father Almighty, forgive me for allowing temporary things to cloud my view of Your Awesomeness; Lord I am assured, whether seen or unseen, Your power is always present.  

I have experienced a new grace lately. The question "why now?" comes to mind, but why should I ask? Does the Almighty, All-knowing One need to explain the things He does in His own Sovereign Power and Eternal Wisdom to me? Would I understand if He did? Grace is an undeserved gift; would not the demand or need for His explanation contradict the very nature of grace? One last question, will I never learn? The answer is yes, I am learning even now. So I will leave the questions behind and just breathe it in as deeply as I can. There, that is better already. Glorious God of All Grace and Mercy, thank You, thank You, thank You.  

Occasionally, there are news stories about bags of money falling from an open door of a moving armored truck. I always wonder how in the world this happens since the entire purpose of an armored car is to protect valuable things; leaving the door unlocked is self-defeating. The same can be said of my affections. I cannot motor around life with my heart openly exposed to every passing whim; my affections must be managed. Proverbs warns us: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” To guard one’s heart is not to close it and lock it down, rather, it is to protect it with God’s Word and infilling Spirit. Lord God, You are My Fortress and Deliverer. In Your Mercy, Guard my affections with Your Mighty Hand.  

I am in the debt of those who have touched my soul; there are so many, I can’t even begin to count. Some have opened treasures for me while others made withdrawals. Yet in either case God has used people to help shape me into a better man. Like surgical instruments in the hands of the Great Physician, God has pressed people into my life to cut away what harms me from within. I have often resented those used for the deepest cuts, only later to realize that they have done me great good, even when they intended otherwise. Just like a patient needing serious surgery, my confidence is not in the quality of the scalpel, my assurance is in the surgeon in whose hands it works. Father, keep me under the knife and thank You for all whom You choose to use. I trust your choices and steady hand.