Coffee With The Lord

Perhaps you’ve experienced it… A zealous Christian (or brand new “babe in Christ”) – just really “all in” on their walk with Christ – determined to serve the Lord with all their heart… And their zeal and desire to please the Lord bothers other around them! Perhaps you’ve been tempted to tell them, “Hey back off a bit! Don’t put those around you on a guilt trip!”

Now I know there is such a thing as “legalism” – I’ve encountered it – it reduces the Christian life to nothing but a list of rules. It declares “keeping the rules” will get you into heaven or keep you out! There’s not place for “the grace of God” in the “salvation” they propose – it’s a doctrine of “works righteousness” period!

But “zeal” in serving the Lord and motivation to “please Him with all your heart” is another matter! Tragedy is, it often “convicts” those who are experiencing “spiritual drift” and are serving the lord “half-heartedly.”

Nehemiah, in the Old Testament, was an “I’m all in” kind of Old Testament believer! God’s people had just spent 70 long years in exile in Babylon because of “spiritual drift!” His zeal for the Lord had led him to return to Jerusalem and tackle the daunting task of rebuilding the walls from just a pile of rubble! His zeal for the Lord was infectious – but it was also annoying to the half-hearted!

What bothered Nehemiah, was after rebuilding the walls, evidence of “spiritual drift” and “half-heartedness” in “covenant living” had reappeared (the very things that had resulted in the exile in the first place)! It reappeared in compromises and neglect of the temple, what they did on the “sabbath,” and the people they married (idolatrous pagans)! Read it for yourself in Nehemiah 13!

Nehemiah’s zeal surfaced! He insisted God’s people weren’t going to live that way – half-hearted compromising lives – the spiritual drift had to stop! As a spiritual leader he spoke out and acted! They had to get back to “covenant living” and obedience! It bothered some people, but Nehemiah’s heart was right and his motives pure!

In fact, on three occasions in Nehemiah this was his prayer: “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for His service!” (vs. 14) “Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of Your steadfast love!” (vs.. 22) And finally in verse 31; “Remember me, O my God, for good!”

Hey there’s a difference between “legalism” – and faith produced, love generated, zeal! I am convinced Nehemiah exhibited the latter! And when a fellow Christian or brand new believer expresses authentic love generated, faith produced zeal… don’t resent them, or accuse them of “legalism”… pay attention to them! They may be calling you (and your Christian friends) back to “covenant living!”

What are the factors that lead to victory in the face of overwhelming odds, incredible difficulties, lack of resources, resistance by adversaries and their determined scheming? Good question eh?

I’ve been reading Ezra and Nehemiah in my Bible the past weeks during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” … Just let me say, I believe those two books of the Bible provide an extended “case study” in what works in situations like that!

After 70 long years of exile in Babylon, God’s people return to a city that looks like it has been through an extended siege of devastating bombing, a temple that has been pillaged, dismantled stone by stone, and completely destroyed, and adversaries that seek their failure and demise at every turn! How can they succeed at the task of rebuilding? Everything seems to be against them!

Several things come to mind as a result of my reading… I’ll list them (but you may have others you’d think of and like to add):

First of all, they were doing the will of God! He is the One who willed their return and reclamation! You can’t lose on that one – the “Almighty” willed it!

Secondly, help and resources came from unexpected and unlikely sources. Pagan kings felt “inclined” to resource and fund the project (even their neighbors in Babylon “chipped in!” (Hey, God was in it – Divine influence matters!)

And you can’t overlook Godly gifted leadership – “servant leadership!” Thank God for the exemplary, sacrificial leadership of people like Nehemiah, Ezra, Joshua, Zerubbabel, Zechariah and others! In fact, those involved in leading the rebuilding effort provide an incredible study in effective leadership (both secular and spiritual)!

And finally (well, next to finally) was the dedicated efforts and dogged energy of the returning exiles in the face of incredible odds! In the words of Nehemiah, “So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, FOR THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO WORK!” (Nehemiah 4:6)

And finally (and I’ll borrow from another book – the prophetic voice of Zechariah) – the role of the Holy Spirit! … “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, 9 “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 shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel!” (Zechariah 4:6-10)

I don’t know what incredible, daunting “rebuilding challenge” you may be facing, but if God is in it “All things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose!” (Romans 8:28) All of the factors I’ve highlighted (and more) come together for His glory! … Trust the Lord, be determined to do God’s will, follow godly gifted leaders, diligently do your part, and expect to rejoice at the result!

Just a bit of a tribute today to skilled, devoted and wise pastors, teachers and writers… Here’s what they seek to accomplish and its wholesome impact upon us… “Besides being wise, the Preacher (or teacher… Heb. “Qoheleth”) also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. Beware of anything beyond these.” (From Ecclesiastes 12:9–12 ESV) My advice? We should be grateful to God for them, their efforts and God-given skills!