Coffee With The Lord

I’ve run a few marathons over the years … each of them was different … each of them was long (26.2 miles long in fact!). I especially remember my 2ndmarathon … White Rock Marathon right here in Dallas. I started the marathon with high hopes… Things were going pretty well, training was adequate, legs had been hardened over the previous 6 weeks with long training runs. But at the 20 mile marker I was beginning to really hurt… felt like I couldn’t go another step! An old bicycle injury was causing my right knee to “bark” at me, just like a dog! I decided it was time to “have a serious conversation” with my body! It was NOT going to tell me what to do! … I was going to inform it that I was going to finish this road race!… Anyone running next to me had to think I was crazy… In a rather loud voice I informed my body of that fact… I pushed through the pain, kind of limping along, got past the pain and finished the entire race “with a sprint”!! Incredible elation and personal victory!!

Thought of that this morning as I read these words from Hebrews 10.32-36 NIV:

“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. YOU NEED TO PERSEVERE SO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD, YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT HE HAS PROMISED.”

Just take it from this ol’ guy… The victorious Christian life is not like a sprint…it’s more like a marathon!! (The 1st Century Christians referred to in this passage understood that!) I urge you, hang in there, push past the challenges (even the pain). Trust God to provide the strength you need. Reach deep within, depend on what you’ve built into your life though your day-to-day Christian living. Believe me, you’ll find “a 2nd wind”, God will be faithful, He’ll help you, He’ll empower you by the Holy Spirit, and I believe you’ll “finish with a sprint”! It will be worth it all!

An important reminder… “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord! (Proverbs 21:30 NIV)

Imagine it… A certified “official looking” envelope delivered to you personally from the most powerful person in the world. You sign for it and open it carefully with heightened anticipation. Inside is a certificate with an access card that grants you personal right of entry into the presence of the important person himself, and to his entire operation and resources where He promises to meet any challenge or need you may be facing! What a privilege – what an opportunity – what a responsibility! Unbelievable eh?

However that is precisely the kind of access to God Christians enjoy through Christ Jesus! I read about it this morning in the Bible during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” (in what I believe to be one of the most incredible passages of Scripture in the Bible)! So here it is right out of the Bible…

First, the right of access:

“THEREFORE SINCE WE HAVE CONFIDENCE TO ENTER THE MOST HOLY PLACE by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is His body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God…

Then the privileges and responsibilities:

“LET US DRAW NEAR TO GOD with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water…

“LET US HOLD UNSWERVINGLY TO THE HOPE WE PROFESS, for He who promised is faithful!

“AND LET US CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (From Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV)

THE IMAGERY? Right of access into the very presence of God – into the “Holy of Holies” – the place in the ancient “tabernacle” or temple where the potent, powerful presence of God revealed itself.

THE PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES?

First, to be able to approach the “Living God” with sincerity and faith – having been cleansed from all sin!

Then, having “hope” (a confident expectation) that God will faithfully fulfill all His promises!

Finally, recognizing that we are not the only ones given this wonderful privilege of access, but encouraging others who share it, every time we meet together, to live righteous, godly lives as we await the wonderful day that we will enjoy His presence forever!

My prayer? Oh Lord, may I fully comprehend and appropriate what is mine in Christ Jesus!