Coffee With The Lord

Sometimes the kindness and mercy of people who don’t know the Lord, to our shame, eclipse that of those who claim to be Christians and are followers of the true God! I read just such an account this morning during “Coffee with the Lord!”

Just before Judah was taken into exile by Babylon because of their sinful ways, Jehoiachin served as king in Judah. Here is what the Bible says about him: “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king… And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged… The king of Babylon took him prisoner…and carried off all the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasuries of the king’s house…as the lord had foretold. He carried away all Jerusalem and the the officials and all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives. None remained, except the poorest people of the land.” (From II Kings 24:-14) What was to follow was 70 years of captivity.

Authentic faith is a big deal! Without it, spiritually you’re going nowhere! Without it you cannot please God – with it you can (Hebrews 11:5-6)! Without it your eternal life is at risk (John 3:16-18).

Ever have a “faith crisis?” Thomas, the apostle, did! Jesus had been crucified and they buried Him. Their Messianic hopes had been dashed to smithereens! Some of the disciples reported something incredible – They had seen Him, He had talked to them, and He was risen from the dead! Thomas doubted!

This is what the Bible says… “Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place me hand into His side, I WILL NEVER BELIEVE!” That’s a “faith crisis!”

Praise the Lord, Jesus hears our doubts and answers our “faith crises!” He’s answered mine many times!

The story continues…“Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe!’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’

Did you count the miracles?

1. The disciples were locked inside a room for fear… suddenly Jesus just appears!
2. He heard every word that Thomas had uttered even though He wasn’t there when Thomas had utter them!
3. He was alive! Risen from the dead after being crucified.

What an incredible gift the Lord gave Thomas to buttress and solve his “faith crisis!”

But what if you don’t get a gift – a miracle – a revelation like that? What then? Notice the very next verse! “Jesus said to Thomas, ‘have you believed because you have seen me? BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED!’” (All of this from John 20:24-29)

Here’s the deal with me this morning: Oh, Lord, help me continue to trust you through the “faith crises” I may face! I love the miraculous revelations of your Person and power… But even if that does not happen, I want the blessing that comes from trusting You anyway!

I’m rejoicing today in the INCLUSIVENESS of the Gospel and God’s plan and promises for what the Bible calls “the last days” (a time inaugurated with the first coming of Christ and a time that will be consummated with His second coming at the end of time)!

The prophecy and promise regarding “the last days” is first found in Joel 2:28-32:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit ON ALL FLESH; your SONS and your DAUGHTERS will prophesy, you OLD MENshall dream dreams, and your YOUNG MEN shall see visions! Even on the MALE and FEMALE SERVANTS in those days I will pour out my Spirit… And it shall come to pass that EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”