Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

2 Kings 19, Hezekiah’s prayer for Israel. “Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands,…… So now, O Lord our God, save us, I pray you, from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.”

This king did not even try to pretend Israel had any hope of success apart from the Lord. He recognized their weakness and depended on God’s strength. So he took the letter given him and laid it before God seeking guidance.

Detail by detail, step by step. Seeking wisdom—seeking clear directions.

How often do we take special time apart to truly listen down to the minute details of circumstances facing us? How often do we recognize our inadequacy from the very beginning, no matter how much experience and talent we have?

Hurrying to meet the crisis. Tossing out prayers on the run.

Restore in us, O Lord, hearts to pray deeply, to listen carefully for Your will. To come to a place of peace in You, that Your name be honored, that the world around us may know who You are.

In our weakness, in our chaos, please bring us Your peace.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 31:3-4

“For Thou art my rock and my fortress;

For Thy name’s sake Thou wilt lead me and guide me.

Thou wilt pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me;

For Thou art my strength.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Lord, we are always looking for direction. And too often always bewildered in our purpose. We ask for affirmation, confirmation, and certification. You gently remind, “It is Me.” And we reply, “but how?”

You give us Yourself and instead we look for concrete steps to follow. You offer a relationship and we look for a plan. Or a program or a specific task to measure and to accomplish.

Why? Because if our human relationships are so difficult then we expect one with You will be beyond our ability? Which is true on our part and yet not on Yours.

I don’t understand why we who look so longingly at love reject Your way. Or try to manufacture our own version. Instead we hesitate, question or mock. Such a gift must have strings attached. It’s too personal. Don’t we have to become special first?

Help me Lord to lower my false defenses and trust in Your love for each one of us individually and wholly. That we might abide in true relationships heart first. Trusting Your words completely.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 119:160

“The sum of Thy word is truth,

And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.”

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 6: 13, Then the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and gave them a charge to the sons of Israel and to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

The Lord gave to Moses and Aaron a charge, a specific direction and a specific message to be delivered to specific people.

God gave this form of charge in limited instances in the Old Testament; to Moses and to Joshua. David gave this definition to his captains, once, and later to Solomon as he began his reign over Israel. This charge ‘enjoins’, ‘constitutes’, ‘sends with command’, says the dictionary.

An appointed task under God’s authority. Sent to put in order God’s inheritance.

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I command you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

An appointed church under Jesus’ authority. Sent with a message to receive God’s inheritance.

Lord, am I willing to accept the responsibilities of the cares You lay on my heart, confident that You will provide Your protection? Let me walk in the confidence of Your accomplished charge.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 91:11

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

To guard you in all your ways.