Coffee With The Lord

INTIMIDATION! … It usually comes from one of two sources (sometimes both of them)! First from an accusation or adversary. Secondly, from the very nature of the task – daunting and overwhelming! Perhaps you have faced one or both of these sources of intimidation in the Lord’s work. In either case you were left cowering, uncertain of your abilities or ready to simply give up and give in to the adversity.

Today in my Bible reading I read an account of both – the accusation and the intimidating task. The setting? After 70 years of disciplinary exile the children of Israel have returned home to an absolute mess! Jerusalem (and the crown of Israel’s worship – the temple) are a demolished, ugly pile of rubble. The challenge? Solidify the spirit of the returned refugees under the leadership of Joshua (the High Priest or spiritual leader) and Zerubbabel (the national leader) assigned the task of rebuilding.

First of all, Joshua… He faced intimidation by an accuser (in this case Satan himself)! Joshua was not faultless – his moral and spiritual flaws were fodder for “the Enemy!” Here’s what Zechariah 3 records: “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan (the literally the “Accuser” or “Adversary”) standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘the Lord rebuke you O Satan!’ … Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him!’ And to him he said, ‘Behold I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments!’ … And the angel of the Lord solemnly assured Joshua, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts!’” (Zechariah 3:1-7)

And then Zerubbabel, the national leader, who faced the incredible (even seemingly impossible) challenge of rebuilding the city and temple utilizing a unsightly mountain of rubble by mobilizing a group of refugees – an intimidating task: “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, ‘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 hall rejoice, and shall see the plumbline in the hand of Zerubbabel!’” (Zechariah 4:6-10)

So it matters not the source of the intimidation: Whether an “accuser” (even Satan himself) or a daunting (even “impossible”) task… If God is “in it” or has commanded it, it will be fulfilled! He forgives, cleanses, and enables flawed human leaders – vindicating and enabling them in the face of accusation! He also empowers and equips leaders to tackle impossible tasks by the Holy Spirit. They are able to mobilize dispirited and frightened human resources to overcome and finish incredible tasks with God’s help – “garbage becomes grandeur” by God’s power!

The search… the search for reality, the search for significance and purpose, the search for truth and wisdom (real wisdom!) … and if the truth be known really a search for God! Perhaps you remember your search… Where did it end up? Were you satisfied? I remember mine… And this morning I read about Agur’s, a guy whose words are recorded in Proverbs – honest word, frustrated words – but words that have an answer, a very satisfying answer!

Agur cries out, “I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God and worn out! Surely I am too stupid to be a man! I do not have the understanding of a man!”

Then he admits, “I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One!”

Finally, Agur follows it up with profound and probing questions: “Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the end of the earth? What is His name and what is His sons name? Surely you know!?” (Quoted from Proverbs 30:1-4 ESV) Job, in the Old Testament, uttered questions like this and found the answer, just as I have (check out Job 28 in your Bible!).

Let me tell you, I’ve found the answer to that quest – those questions! The answer to it all is “the Living God” – Creator God – “the Almighty God!” He has revealed Himself in all that has made – the world in which we live, the universe! He has not left us to flounder in our search – the answers are provided in His inspired word – the Bible! And “His Son” – as we’re told in Scripture: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth!” (John 1:14). He is the Lord Jesus Christ – the One who reveals the Heavenly Father to us and is our Savior!

Yes, Agur… your questions – your search – is like that of many people today! And as a Christian let me tell you I’ve found the answer!!

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a passage that is as current as the headlines and what you’ll see and hear about it in the evening news… Zephaniah 3:9-20. Now, to be sure, it has special significance prophetically for the nation of Israel – “the Holy Land”… But it doesn’t end there. Zephaniah’s prophecy has deep significance and wonderful encouragement for God’s people, regardless of their ethnicity, as they approach the “times of difficulty,” prophesied at the “end of history!” (cp. 2 Timothy 3:1ff)

Here’s a portion of what Zephaniah prophesied:

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil!

“On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing… Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth! At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.” (From Zephaniah 3:14–20 ESV)

Those are not my words… and they certainly are not the words of the enemies of Israel today! They are God’s declared word! Read the entire 3rd chapter of Zephaniah… God’s will deal with those who resist His plan and persecute His people… And His wonderful promises include, not only Israel, but all of God’s people regardless of their ethnicity and nationality! Praise the Lord!!!