Reflection: His Name: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. Why do we lean into forgetting that all life is from God?

2. What difference could that make in our perspective each day?

3. Where do you need His gift of light today?

4. Ask Him for His word to you.

His Name: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 35, “Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for light by day, And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name:”

His name,

His name alone speaks power into all creation. He is the only one.

The words He speaks into all creation includes us. Each one individually created. Each one being held in His care.

Yet we continue to doubt—let the darkness swallow us up—become self-absorbed and forget His light can and will restore into wholeness again.

All life gifted by His mercy and grace.

His light will guide all our steps, seen and unseen, hidden or obvious, when we ask. When we choose His words. When we accept His creative life. His hope and life.

His words in His name.

Lord of all creation, forgive us our weak faith in the face of difficulty when we know without a doubt that You hold all the universe and creation in Your care. Thank you that there is nothing to separate us from You, because You are the one holding on to us. Keep our eyes and heart fixed on You, we pray.

Your thoughts,

Shall Know: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Shall Know

                                                All shall know

                                                each one

                                                least to greatest

                                                equal mercy

                                                forgiveness fresh

                                                end of condemnation

                                                know the Lord

                                                everlasting declaration

                                                release from sin

                                                eternity begins here.

Romans 8:34, “Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”

Reflection: Each Know: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. Which words or promises open our hearts to extend mercy towards ourselves, or others?

2. What steps can we take to begin to live into this forgiveness naturally?

3. Who in your life do you desire to begin a fresh start with?

4. What fresh start do you desire with the Lord?

Each Know: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 34 “And they shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,’ declares the Lord, ‘for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.’”

Each One,

From the least to the greatest the promise is given—no special privileges—equal ground.

Each one invited to know Him personally—to accept forgiveness—to begin a fresh start.

From an on growing relationship based on mercy and love instead of condemnation and misused legality.

One of the deepest things we crave is to be known—seen—cared for—and the Lord offers all to each one of us so that no one would ever be left alone unless they refuse. Which too often we do when buried in our own self-centeredness. But again and again, the Lord gives each of us new hearts that recognize His grace and forgiveness.

Thank you. Lord, for Your intercession—with the understanding of our needs that we cannot even recognize. Give us ears to listen and trust and accept Your gift of mercy. And to treat each other with Your mercy.

Your thoughts,

Embedded: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Embedded

                                                Within our hearts

                                                law inscribed

                                                with mercy

                                                law written

                                                by His hand

                                                by His grace

                                                legal covenant

                                                will never be broken

                                                love embedded

                                                Wielded by His love forever.

Romans 8: 33, “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.”

Reflection: Within: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. What are some excuses we make to block God’s words to us personally?

2. What are some false distortions we need to learn to recognize?

3. How has the Spirit guided you in a season of fear and confusing?

4. What enabled you to recognize His guidance?

5. How might we learn to listen as naturally as breathing?

Within: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 33, “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

Within—on our hearts,

No longer an external legal commitment that can be shredded or ignored, but an internal ink written into our every breath and pulse. That will not be removed.

Through the gift of His Holy Spirit to protect our hearts and speak truth into us.

Even if we remain deaf or dismissive to these words, they will speak into our lives continuing to bring light. Our hearts will listen and eventually we will begin to recognize the Spirit’s guidance.

Even when in frustration or ignorance we act like rebellious toddlers clarity will come, false beliefs will be revealed, and restoration will grow.

Lord, please keep writing Your words into our hearts and open our eyes to see and ears to hear Your voice to follow wherever You choose.

Your thoughts,

His Hands: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                               His Hands

                                                By the hand

                                                as a lost child

                                                wandering in confusion

                                                not knowing where

                                                is home

                                                where is a safe haven.

                                                Disobedience

                                                discouragement

                                                blurred pathway.

                                                So once again

                                                He holds us

                                                close and begins

                                                a new covenant

                                                of grace.

                                                Holds us

                                                in His hands.

Romans 8: 32, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

Reflection: My Covenant: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How do you describe your covenant with God?

2. In what ways has your definition or understanding changed over the years as you grow in faith?

3. How would you express or share your definition with a friend?

4. What words would you use to explain to a new believer who is uncertain of the meaning?

My Covenant: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

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Jeremiah 31: 32, “‘Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,’ declares the Lord.”

My covenant,

Not a word we often use between ourselves. Not a word that is easily understood or explained.

And yet a word we break so many times because of ignorance, or disobedience, or false interpretation.

Yet still a promise—a foundation—a rescue as the Lord personally continues to rescue us from our captivities.  

His committed gift of life.

And yet we still look back too often into our failures and fears and ignore the promise of light and life ahead. Each day now can be built on His word. His power. His purpose.

His covenant.

Now an ongoing claim of mercy from His hands. Through His gift we can begin to live daily in faith and obedience. Because He is holding on to each of us.

Lord, please show us how to truly leave our version of Egypt behind and not look back in fear, but now with our vision and our hearts facing forward, trusting You to guide us into trustworthy actions and attitudes.

Your thoughts,

New Beginnings: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                               New Beginnings

                                                New Covenant

                                                not necessarily

                                                breaking old

                                                but expanding

                                                into new territory

                                                internal commitment

                                                ready to grow

                                                rest in His plans

                                                begin to see

                                                bolder perspective

                                                natural growth for

                                                new beginnings.

Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”

Reflection: New Covenant: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.What possible new beginnings for today do you expect or hope for?

2.What new beginnings do you see on the horizon in your life?

2.What fills you with anticipation and what fills you with anxiety for either?

3.What new covenant do you desire to make with the Lord in the coming days?