Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

God Could

Without empiric proof

beyond common sense

denied scientific theories

grief ransacking comprehension

still Abraham knew

deep down assurance.

God could.

Relinquished his son.

Received him back.

Restored vision.

Comforts our conflict.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What impossible decision do you need to make?

2.     Where in this turmoil does your belief/unbelief meter register?

3.     Where does your obstacle lie—in your heart or in your will?

4.     How has the Lord restored you in the face of great loss before?

5.     Why, or why not, do you consider God able this time?

Share: How has God comforted your conflict?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:19, “He considered the fact that God is able to raise someone from the dead—and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”

Time and time again, Jesus asked, or implied the need to believe in Him so that a healing could take place. At Nazareth, in His hometown, He “could do no miracle” and “He wondered at their unbelief.” Another desperate father heard Jesus’ words, but recognized his own doubts so he brought them in prayer as, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Abraham believed. He had no idea how. No concept of what would happen in the next few moments or weeks or years, but he did know God’s faithfulness and so he trusted in his belief. Even to letting go of a promise he had clung to for his whole life. A promise God Himself had given. A promise that if taken would result in loss and anguish beyond all measure.

We learn, often reluctantly, to learn to let go of situations and attitudes that are harmful to us. And sometimes we are able to loosen our grip on what is good in our lives for something better. But after an entire lifetime of obedience—to be asked to give up the very blessing from God—perhaps one we uprooted our entire lives for?

In Jesus’ parable a single grain of wheat must be dropped into the earth and die in order to multiply. (John 12:20-26) In reference to this image, Herbert Lockyer comments, “Out of death comes life. A harvest comes from a grain. Jesus used this analogy of a natural law to illustrate what happens in the moral and spiritual worlds alike.”

Oh Lord, only You alone can restore life from loss. Sometimes the pain is so great that a shadow remains forever. Yet with You, all things are possible. Help us to live in resurrection reality.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 80:19

“O Lord God of hosts, restore us;

Cause Thy face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Obeyed

Who has the strength

to release a dream

held life-long.

Worked steadily towards

through grief, joy, expectations,

hope. Obedience daily.

Wondering why this change

to plans and promises

honored in faith.

Withheld nothing

to walk in worship on

hallowed ground.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:17, “By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son.”

This passage brings up so many mixed memories that I realize it is not a once for all decision to relinquish that which we hold as treasure, but may need to be repeated many times. We can so easily confuse a promise with an end result done our way and miss the blessing, or healing.

Once I refused to leave a highly stressful job situation, because I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt God had called me there, and in my mind to leave would be breaking a commitment. Despite the fact that everyone praying for me all agreed that a change needed to be made and the increasing despair I faced every day.  Then a wise person quietly mentioned that although God had called him to a particular role, He had also guided him when it was time to leave for another location. I clung for the wrong reasons. And when I finally opened my hands to new possibilities, a whole new season opened up, still using the same skills yet in a fresher and deeper manner.

On the other hand when one child was born in distress, I had no hesitation handing his care over to an unknown pediatrician. I trusted immediately that this complete stranger would do whatever necessary to bring relief to my newborn. Contrary to my anxiety-ridden personality, I had complete peace. Because God stepped in and covered both of us in His care. I too was a newborn in faith then, and neither my child nor I were ready to be tested, only protected.

Often I still need to double check just how tight-fisted I am with the people around me, or time, or resources. I resist change and I like safety. Yesterday, on Resurrection Sunday, our pastor referred to the reality of  “Christ is Risen” as dangerous hope. It’s going to take awhile to process that concept into daily life and yet I wonder if that is exactly why Abraham was able to meet God’s test of faith.

Lord, please forgive us when we hold too tightly to anyone, or to any dreams You have given us, with self-centered clenched fists instead of open hands of trust. Help us to recognize Your voice and follow Your plans with dangerous hope.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 56:11-13

“In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

Thy vows are binding upon me, O God;

I will render thank offers to Thee.

For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling,

So that I may walk before God in the light of the living.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Beyond Measure

Grains of sand

filter through our

days, each speck

marking time dissolving

Glorious star panorama

boldly displays

spoken words nightly

marking time’s passage.

Good as dead

like Abraham—still

open opportunity of

infinitesimal seed

saying yes.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:12, “Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, ‘as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.’”

Have you ever arrived early to a concert and heard the odd screeching and twanging sounds of instruments warming up? Especially if the concert is given by beginning musicians and you wonder why you accepted the invitation.

Yet suddenly under the conductor’s hand all becomes still and then individual notes rise and blend into shape and sound and a melody flows into the audience.  Art shaped by long hours obedient to repeating scales, to practiced pieces, to the music’s heart and to the conductor’s authority harmonize into a whole.

Each note played by each instrument as a necessary voice. Each often prepared in solitude over many hours of wondering if it would ever come out right. Yet for the hope and desire within they stayed the course towards creating music. As Abraham trusted in Your creative power in and through him beyond his own capabilities.

The power of one heart in obedience to the Lord has consequences far beyond our imagination and far beyond our single notes.

Help us each one, Lord, to become instruments of faith in Your concert.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 89:4

“I will establish your seed forever,

And build up your throne to all generations.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Nomad

Was it hard to awake

every morning to an

unfamiliar atmosphere

whether wind or bird or scent?

Groggily leave life-long

territory, childhood memories,

well-worn paths walked

even in sleep.

Focus now on present terrain

geographic manual

newly minted.

Wonder at nomad lifestyle.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Leave

Leave behind all that

is familiar. Go to a new

land. Brings both sorrow

and anticipation. Grief

and adventure. Most difficult

letting go well-worn habits,

comfort routines. Taking one

last look before new inheritance.

Now go.