Word: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Word

            By His name.

            Word spoken

            shared, confirmed.

            By His presence.

            Walking alongside in

            signs and power.

            By His authority.

            

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

1 Samuel 17:45, “But David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’”

David rejected the advanced armor that Saul provided. He stuck with the skills he already knew as a shepherd—slings and stones—not high-powered weaponry but familiar. Yet even with those he did not presume to fight Goliath on worldly terms of combat or expectation.

His entire defense was based on God’s word—His name—His character. And upon that David stepped out in trust.

How often, I wonder, do we fight or flee our giants based on abilities or lack of them? We search out all our options and stockpile our resources. We look for ways to gain an edge in case a catastrophe stomps against us.

When Nebuchadnezzar prepared to throw Shadrach, Meschach and Abed-nego into the fiery furnace they made it clear that, whether they survived the flames or not, they served God alone.

Regardless of the consequences they stood upon His name in trust.

Lord, please help us to loosen our fearful grip on worldly protection and begin to trust in Your name. To call on You for wisdom and guidance and strength to stand with a faith that accepts only Your deliverance by Your word.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 121:2

“My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber,”

Kingdom Manna

Intercede

Mark 3:27, But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

Scenes flash across the news broadcast. Bold headlines slash the newspaper. Injury, mayhem, war, murder. Mankind grasping more, stealing from one another. “Survival of the fittest”.

Left behind in the wake lie innocent, poor, helpless. Silent sufferers. Casualties of the battle. “Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.”

Strong, ruthless but subject to one still stronger. Jesus. The name that stops Satan cold. The name from which his demons flee. The name that upholds all boundaries.

Lord, it has taken me a long time to recognize I have no protection from lies and envy and greed except by Your strength. They may not be of the stature that reaches recognition by others but can be as deadly. Deliver me I pray, from insidious desires. From worldly fare that ignores Your love. From the power of darkness that breeds in concealed corners.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 91:3

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence;