Everyone: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Everyone

                                                No escape

                                                from the sins

                                                we each bury

                                                deep within

                                                allowing lies to

                                                expand, engulf

                                                our lives

                                                with excuses

                                                accusations towards

                                                everyone else

                                                until death’s core

                                                exacts penalty

                                                and we are each

                                                exposed.

Romans 8:30, “And whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these he also glorified.”

Reflection: Set On Edge: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways have you ever used a false excuse to avoid a painful confrontation?

2. How has false reasoning caused a minor difference of opinion to create a broken relationship?

3. What are the protective barriers you instinctively raise when someone verbally attacks you with accusations?

4. How do you seek the Lord’s guidance when truth needs to be acknowledged—even when painful?

Set On Edge: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31:30, “But everyone will die for his own iniquity; each man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge.”

Set on edge,

There are so many ways that we manage to place blame on others, or on circumstances, or false reasoning, in our attempts to not admit our own fears and failures.

We bury our sins and lies and it only makes each situation worse. Especially in ongoing relationships. Especially when we begin to believe our own manufactured reasoning.

Without clarity to recognize and identify our personal sour perceptions, our teeth will also be always set on edge as we deny our sins. Or refuse to own them. Unless we are willing to see through the Lord’s insight and His cleansing grace.

Forgive us, Lord, of our false pretenses. Please give us Your strength and insight to recognize our lies and turn to You for Your truth and Your forgiveness to make amends. With You. With ourselves. With others.

Your thoughts,