Coffee With The Lord

What are the factors that lead to victory in the face of overwhelming odds, incredible difficulties, lack of resources, resistance by adversaries and their determined scheming? Good question eh?

I’ve been reading Ezra and Nehemiah in my Bible the past weeks during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” … Just let me say, I believe those two books of the Bible provide an extended “case study” in what works in situations like that!

After 70 long years of exile in Babylon, God’s people return to a city that looks like it has been through an extended siege of devastating bombing, a temple that has been pillaged, dismantled stone by stone, and completely destroyed, and adversaries that seek their failure and demise at every turn! How can they succeed at the task of rebuilding? Everything seems to be against them!

Several things come to mind as a result of my reading… I’ll list them (but you may have others you’d think of and like to add):

First of all, they were doing the will of God! He is the One who willed their return and reclamation! You can’t lose on that one – the “Almighty” willed it!

Secondly, help and resources came from unexpected and unlikely sources. Pagan kings felt “inclined” to resource and fund the project (even their neighbors in Babylon “chipped in!” (Hey, God was in it – Divine influence matters!)

And you can’t overlook Godly gifted leadership – “servant leadership!” Thank God for the exemplary, sacrificial leadership of people like Nehemiah, Ezra, Joshua, Zerubbabel, Zechariah and others! In fact, those involved in leading the rebuilding effort provide an incredible study in effective leadership (both secular and spiritual)!

And finally (well, next to finally) was the dedicated efforts and dogged energy of the returning exiles in the face of incredible odds! In the words of Nehemiah, “So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, FOR THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK!” (Nehemiah 4:6)

And finally (and I’ll borrow from another book – the prophetic voice of Zechariah) – the role of the Holy Spirit! … “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT, SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS! Who are you, O great mountain [of rubble]? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ ” Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it! … Whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel!” (Zechariah 4:6-10)

I don’t know what incredible, daunting “rebuilding challenge” you may be facing, but if God is in it “All things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose!” (Romans 8:28) All of the factors I’ve highlighted (and more) come together for His glory! … Trust the Lord, be determined to do God’s will, follow godly gifted leaders, diligently do your part, and expect to rejoice at the result!