Coffee With The Lord

Powerful, strong earthquakes can be devastating!  Crumpled buildings, toppled high rises, weakened structures, fallen bridges, and most of all the loss of life, are the consequences of devastating earthquakes!

Those who live in earthquake zones have learned to construct buildings to withstand both the magnitude and intensity of an earthquake.  The “Richter Scale” is a measurement that has often been used to measure the strength of an earthquake.  Other measurements, however have gained popularity – the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS) and the Mercalli Intensity Scale are also used.

The Bible documents a powerful “shaking” going on in the world right now.  We see its effects all around us.  However, Bible prophecy points to a future cosmic “shaking” referred to as “the Day of the Lord” which will test the strength and resilience of everything!  The issue will be, what will endure God’s “final shaking?”

Here’s what I read this morning in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord”…

“He has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens’ … In order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe!” (From Hebrews 12:26-28)

Let me tell you, His Kingdom – the Kingdom of Heaven – God’s Kingdom will endure!  It will be standing when everything else has failed and fallen!  I don’t know where that fits on a Richer Scale, a MMS, or the Mercalli Intensity Scale – but the specs on that Kingdom are, “Built to withstand an incalculable, immeasurable shaking!” … “And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.  And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall never be destroyed!”  (From Daniel 7:13-14)  And at the end of time this declaration, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (From Revelation 11:15)

When people hear the term “Chronicles” in the Bible they often yawn and think about the times they started reading the Bible through and gave up… you guessed it, somewhere in Chronicles!  That’s sad, because there are wonderful “faith nuggets” and “truth nuggets” hidden in I and II Chronicles!

This morning, during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I encountered one of those in a “genealogical” section.  In my Bible it’s labeled, “The Descendants of Gad” (just has adventure and intrigue written all over it, doesn’t it?  Out of 100 possible passages in the Bible, this is the one you’d pick out for interesting, uplifting and encouraging reading, right?)

But embedded in that section I read this account of some of God’s people who were facing danger and destruction from their enemies, the Hagrites… The Bible says,“They cried out to God in the battle, and He granted their urgent plea because they trusted in Him.”

What a wonderful word of encouragement!  When I am facing difficulty and danger, that is what I’m going to do!  When enemies threaten it’s time to pray – to “cry out to God with an urgent plea!”  That’s when I’m going to trust the Lord to defend and deliver!  The Lord answered the “urgent plea” of the descendants of Gad – and I believe He’ll answer mine… and yours!

Just accept this little word of encouragement… When you’re reading through I or II Chronicles keep your eye out for those wonderful, “truth nuggets” – those “faith nuggets” – embedded in a boring genealogy somewhere!  Believe me, there’re in there somewhere!!!  (After all the “genealogies” are simply the names of ordinary people that were a part of God’s wonderful plan!)

During my “prayer run” the other day I was lifting up a prayer to God for a very important need and concern. As I was praying a thought entered my mind… What right do I have to approach God – the Almighty God, the holy God, King of the Universe – with this concern of mine? And then an experience I had some time ago entered my mind…

I needed (and wanted) access into a building – a facility that housed goods and services I needed and desired. The problem was, access was limited to only a select few – those who were authorized to gain entrance, and I wasn’t. You had to have a coded card key. So I approached an influential member of the organization, who happened to be my friend, and asked if courtesy card keys were ever granted to people. His answer was, “yes that sometimes happens. Would you like to me get you one? I’ll request one for you.” And in a few days, I had my card key, and had access into the facility!”