Coffee With The Lord

I’m from a farm background. I understand how important weather can be – to both sowing and reaping (and I might add the germination, growth and maturation of a crop). I know what it is to see my dad “eye the sky,” listen to the weather forecast… but go ahead, risk it, get the seed in the ground anyway and reap with an “eye on the sky!” Successful farmers have to take some risks! So do investors and entrepreneurs… and so do those who sow (and reap) “the precious seed of the gospel.”

So this is what I read today during my time of “coffee with the Lord” from Ecclesiastes… “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap!” (Ecclesiastes 11:4) … For some people there is always an excuse! Something “might happen” – the “weather forecast” is threatening – things aren’t quite right! Truth is though, in life, and in spiritual matters, to succeed you have to “take some risks!” I jotted these words in my Bible this morning… “Do what you should regardless!” (It’s a key to success in life and in godliness!”

Interestingly, while I was thinking about Ecclesiastes 11:4, Psalm 126:6 came to mind… Here’s the background: “Israel had just come back from exile. They faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives after 70 long years in Babylon. Picture a farmer standing in the field with a bag of seed… does he plant it or eat it (I mean after it’s in the ground, who knows what will happen)! In faith, however – in spite of the risks – he sows! Here’s how the Psalmist puts it: “He who goes out weeping, bearing precious seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him!”

I’m going to keep “sowing” (and “reaping”) REGARDLESS! I’m going to press on, and press through, trusting the faithfulness of God regardless of the “wind and clouds” (or a “forecast”)! I’m going to trust the guidance and faithfulness of God! I believe I’ll “come home with shouts of joy, bringing sheaves with me!”

Ever hear the adage, “EVERYONE IS IN THE SAME BOAT?”

It usually is used to make the point that everyone is facing the same predicament or situation. In other words it has a bad connotation or expresses a dangerous state of affairs for everyone!

However, it can be argued that if the situation was really bad or dangerous, “everyone being in the same boat” could reflect a rescue or salvation from drowning and death.

The adage came to mind this morning as I read 1 John 1:5 – 2:2 during my time of “coffee with the Lord.”

First of all, the passage argues that we’re all sinners! WE’RE “ALL IN THE SAME BOAT” – religious and irreligious, “saved” and “lost,” evangelical and Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, or “whatever” – even atheist! “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God!” (Romans 3:23)… And “The wages of sin is death!” (Romans 6:23) We’re all in trouble – “EVERYONE IS IN THE SAME BOAT!” – WE ALL NEED A “SAVIOR!”

Here’s how the passage declares it… “If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is no in us! … If we say, ‘We have not sinned,’ we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us!”

ON THE OTHER HAND, WE CAN “ALL BE IN THE SAME BOAT!” – we can all experience salvation from sin through the Lord Jesus Christ! Here it is from the same passage: “If we confess our sin [acknowledge it and ask God to forgive us] He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness… I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Heavenly Father – Jesus Christ the Righteous One! He Himself is the atoning sacrifice our sins, and not only for ours, BUT ALSO FOR THOSE OF THE WHOLE WORLD!” (From 1 John 1: 8 – 2:2 CSV cp. John 3:16-17) … PRAISE THE LORD,,,“WE’RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT!”

Anyone who is a sincere, devoted, obedient follower of Jesus will experience “ADVERSARIES!”

As they seek to follow the Lord’s will there will come resistance, criticism, unfair accusation… even persecution! Hey, it’s predicted – you might even say “promised” (check out 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-16)! In fact, Satan himself is referred to as “the Adversary!” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

The temptation we face when these things come our way is bitterness, anger, complaint, anxiety, frustration and temptation to retaliate! None of these things glorify God!

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I was reminded of a better way when seeking to do God’s will and encountering adversaries and resistance… Trust the Lord…do His will…and depend on Him to vindicate and enable!

Now the point I’m making is going to require some Bible reading… I’m recommending reading and reflecting upon two Biblical books of the Bible… Ezra and Nehemiah. (Anyone who has studied them knows what I am talking about! Take it from me – it’ll worth the read!)

What was God’s will? For the exiles to return to the “holy land,” rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and the temple, which had been destroyed, because of the sin of God’s people.

The challenge? A lot of hard work in the face of incredible obstacles, challenges, and resistance!

And “adversaries!” They were everywhere! They were determined! They were conniving! They did NOT want to see Jerusalem’s walls go up or the temple rebuilt! They wanted the returning Jewish exiles to fail at every turn of the road… They were “ADVERSARIES ON STEROIDS!”

Their leaders? Praise the Lord for godly, determined, gifted, leaders – Ezra, Nehemiah, Joshua and Zerubbabel who encouraged and guided the exiles!

And the results? Divine favor and vindication! (My Bible reading this morning – Ezra 6!) Here’s what God worked out… through the efforts of His people (supported and led by godly leaders) even through secular leaders, IN SPITE OF RESISTANCE AND ADVERSARIES! …

“Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia; and this house [the temple] was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy!” (From Ezra 6:13–16 ESV)

Hey… God can help, guide, strengthen, sustain, vindicate and deliver you as you seek to do His will in the face “ADVERSARIES!”