Law: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                                Law

                                                When we do not recognize

                                                the law we cling to

                                                in our hearts

                                                we still become adamant

                                                when it is threatened

                                                resist its removal.

                                                Do not realize that

                                                righteousness only

                                                possible from the Lord

                                                deepens faith,

                                                hope, truth

                                                defeats despair.

                                                When we accept

                                                His righteousness

                                                on eternal terms

                                                suffering turns into

                                                a power beyond

                                                comprehension.

                                                Life replaces law.

                                               

Psalm 18:34, “He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”

Reflection: Submission: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you feel that you submit to God’s law willingly? Why or why not?

2.     Scripture says we cannot on our own. How have you experienced that defeat?

3.     What makes the difference in this verse?

4.     What would that require by you yourself?

Share: What words would you like to speak to others?

-->

Desperate: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Desperate

                        Cry for freedom

                        comes from deep within

                        our hearts straining against

                        oppressive fears

                        desperate for release of

                        despair and loss

                        not recognizing battle

                        needs not external

                        instead our souls crave

                        internal restoration

                        true law under love

                        truth spoken in Spirit

                        who never abandons

                        walks steadfastly

                        bringing true freedom

                        bought at a cross.

           

                       

            

Free: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:2

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

We each have our particular definitions of what freedom is. Whether in regard to personal limitations of health, finance, relationships, or outreach in society, government, and legal justice.

Whatever is our foundation reason, the lure to be fully free—to be released from any boundaries—to resist limitations is common ground almost daily. Our hearts can rage from petty discomforts to staggering atrocities.

Yet no boundaries of any kind can also bring chaos and destruction. Our world’s history offers countless examples of sinful devastation when individuals and countries refuse any accountability.

Or, in reverse, establish such legalistic boundaries that deny human compassion or value for lives.

Once again Jesus upends our perspective. Law is internal—not external. Law is freedom within boundaries. Law is life giving—not death. His law gives us the soul freedom to live fully open, fully honest, and fully valued. Spirit led.

Freedom from the power of sin and death is astonishing!

It changes everything—everyone—every time. It redefines boundaries and opportunities and possibilities from despair and death to hope and life. Regardless of whether we are imprisoned in chains or flying unencumbered in the wind, He gifts us with His law.

Lord, show us how to accept with thanksgiving and joy Your daily gift of life in all circumstances. To walk with you from the inside out by Your Spirit’s words. Bring Your light into our desperate cries.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:1

“Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?”

Kingdom Manna

Found

Acts 13: 39, “by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”

Mosaic Law. A standard separate from neighboring countries. It included civil and judicial and social laws like the others, but went beyond to contain moral and religious criteria. Equal mandate.

Freedom to restore relationships between God and each other. Freedom to receive compensation. Freedom to retrieve dignity when slandered. Freedom to be righteous. Equal status.

Magnanimous provision. Minuscule details. Laws to cover every possible sin. Pre-conceived. Unintentional. Accidental. Potential. The applications went on and on and were still insufficient. Equal failure.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Equal cure.

Messiah. To set mankind truly free from outward and inward sin. Recognized and unknown. Public and private. To the Jews, the Gentiles, the rich, the poor, the slave, the free. The men, the women, the children, the outcast, He removes the weight. Equal freedom.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 81:6

“I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket.”

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Matthew 5:20, For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Perfection. A goal we all reach for in different ways. Some paragons drive themselves and those around them to distraction in their search. Some display extreme patience and understanding with errors and mishaps, except in one special section of talent or gift or service when nothing less than excellence will be accepted. And there not the smallest detail escapes notice.

Artists often sigh at the end of a work because the vision that impulsed the idea could not be fully caught.

We strain. We stretch. We strive.

Pharisees and scribes purposed to keep the Law, to live holy lives, to maintain righteousness. As keepers and teachers of God’s words they knew His many promises to all who would be righteous. And they added codicils to the commandments to give themselves and Israel clearer boundaries.

To reach God’s standards. To be worthy of so great a love, so great a trust.

White washed tombs, Jesus said.

Perfection gone astray. The plan replaced the purpose. “For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

Wrap me up in Your righteous robes, Lord. Forgive me for looking for any excellence apart from You. Cover my heart.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 132:9

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,

and let your faithful shout for joy.

Tabernacle

Book of Law

Words sealed on a

scroll in the Lord’s house

as a witness to all

generations.

Spoken as a reminder

every seven years;

citizen, alien, adult, child

none exempt.

Knowledge of rebellion

judgment’s call

written in each memory.

Word worthy to break

seal, release bondage.

Worship resonates

new commandment

echoes beginnings

relationship restored.

“They sing a new song.”

Jeremiah 32: 6-12, “Word of the Lord came to me….Then I knew it was the word of the Lord.”