Coffee With The Lord

It may come in a letter… or perhaps a phone call… it might appear in a Facebook post or on a Twitter feed… a chance encounter… or the report of a friend…

THE URGENT PRAYER REQUEST of a spiritual leader, a missionary, a persecuted Christian, a friend or family member!

What will be our response… Will we faithfully lift their need to the Lord in prayer (or simply have good intentions, but forget)? They’re depending on us – more than that they’re depending on the Lord who answers prayer!

Here’s how Apostle Paul phrased it to fellow Christians in Rome…

“Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ… join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given you by the Holy Spirit!” (Romans 15:30 NLT)

This is what I do on my daily prayer runs – I pray for those in need, those who have requested that I pray, those whose needs I am aware of. My wife, Sharon, keeps a list in her Bible – and every day during her devotions she is praying! Will you pray? “Dear brothers and sister, I urge you…join in my struggle by praying… Do this because of your love given you by the Holy Spirit.” Listen, fellow Christians pray for one another!

Perhaps just a lot of things have happened that have left you feeling intimidated, unsure of yourself (or your relationship with a loving God), incapable, or unsure of yourself.  There has been one problem after another, difficulties that have piled up, and more than a few failures… Your faith is faltering, your prayers seem to go nowhere, and you’ve even wondered about the power and faithfulness of God!

What to do?  Well, may I suggest that you read and prayerfully reflect upon Isaiah 40:12-31!  I did this morning – and I’m convinced it is probably just the Spiritual tonic you need!  I can’t post it all (you’ll have to read it for yourself to get that… but here’s just a sample – a taste of its truth…

“To whom can you compare God?

“’To whom will you compare me [God asks] Who is my equal?’ asks the Holy One.

“How can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God ignores your rights?  Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.  He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength! They will soar high on wings like eagles! They will run and not grow weary! They will walk and not faint!” (Taken from Isaiah 40:12-31 New Living Translation)

Listen!  The Lord has no equal!  He sees!  He knows!  He is able!  He is faithful!  Take heart!!!  (Com’on – read the whole passage!  You’ll be glad you did!)

When we’re trying to live for God and things don’t go right… In fact, when everything seems to be going wrong… When we’ve experienced one disaster after another… When our lives are filled with pain… When dear friends criticize us (and even abandon us) and offer nothing but trite answers… When our prayers don’t seem to be heard, and heaven seems like “brass”… When we’re so frustrated we’ve got a few things we’d like to tell the Lord and we’re tempted to criticize the way He does things or what he allows to happen in our lives…

Perhaps it is then that we need to hear God speak to us as He did Job in the Bible…

“Do you still want to argue with the Almighty… Do you want to be God’s critic? Do you think you have the answers?”

But then we probably need to respond as Job did to that challenge…

“Then Job replied to the Lord… “I am nothing! I don’t have the answers! I will cover my mouth with my hand! I have said too much already! I have nothing more to say!” (From Job 40:1-5 NLT)

It’s perhaps then, that we’re ready to hear the voice of a loving Heavenly Father… we’re ready to listen, to trust, and to allow God to work out His Divine purposes… After all Scripture declares, “God causes ALL THINGS to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose…” and “Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love!” (Romans 8:28 & 38 NLT)

Hey, it worked for Job! “The Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even MORE than in the beginning!” (Job 42:10-17) Oh Lord, help me trust you through the good and the bad – through prosperity and pain – when what I’m experiencing makes sense, but also when I have to cling tenaciously to your good promises and purposes for my life!