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.”

Kingdom Manna

Yoke

Mark 4:11, And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables;”

Secrets. Whispered murmurings. Hidden knowledge. Confidences. Entrusted to family, close friends, familiar associates.

Waiting for the right time or right motives to be shared. Kept in silence that a surprise not be accidentally spilt. Kept in the open with all aware except the uninitiated.

Seekers ask questions, probe clues, and work the information like pieces in a puzzle. Joyous when formed into a whole. Doubts evaporate. Confusion makes sense. Satisfied accomplishment for a mystery revealed.

When You chose to share Your secrets Lord, You planted Your words for all mankind. Earth and sky and sea proclaim You. Truth and love and justice describe You. Jesus mirrors You.

Stories share You. From ancient days to future possibilities. Available. Speak Your words within me too, I pray, that I may hear Your truths with Your language. May I be committed to search and to whisper prayers. To understand Your parables. To listen to Your voice.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 78:2

I will open my mouth in a parable;

I will utter dark sayings from of old,

Kingdom Manna

Yoke

Matthew 13:31, He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field;”

Power packaged in a small parcel. We tend to ignore or disdain the ‘least’ whether people or property. Who can doubt, though, the sting of a wasp, the persistence of a fly, the determination of an ant?

Mustard seeds are among the smallest of plants yet produce a rapid, abundant, visible harvest. Tiny start. Tremendous yield. Continuous miracle that from minuscule seeds grow crops and flowers and trees. Beginnings unseen buried in a dark earth their shells split, their inner life tumbles out, and multiplies.

Protected at first. Before they reach the surface and the blast of wind and sun. Hidden until the right time. Secure until their strength will stand the barrage.

Mysterious germination. Seeds of vegetation, seeds of life, seeds of faith. Disturbing the confines of their space, insisting on change.

Potential growth or possible blight. Where am I seeded Lord? In Your word, or in the world. In a hidden life of prayer, or a hothouse of pride? Plant Your life in me. Crack open my self-contained shell and grow me up in You, Lord. Into kingdom fields.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 92:12-13

The righteous flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.

Kingdom Manna

Treasures

Mark 4:30, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?”

Seeking to bridge the gap, searching for a means of communication Jesus reaches for a concrete image, a point of relationship; a familiar picture, a story.

Metamorphosis. Changed. Caterpillar to butterfly.

Basic concepts clearly detailed and defined. Even to a young child we can describe the process, show a demonstration, observe the phenomena. Science opens up doors of discovery. We follow intricate paths with increasing fascination. Further and further we explore.

Caterpillar to chrysalis to creation.

“With what can we compare or what parable will we use for it?” Of 800,000 species of insects discovered, butterflies are the second largest order, outnumbered only by beetles. Fragile beauty living a reality unseen, unnoticed, amidst our hectic lives.

Except, occasionally, we pause to watch in wonder when this delicate life dances before us catching our attention. And we wonder at its ethereal flight. And we are amazed.

Glimpses of beauty, peace and love draw me toward Your kingdom, Lord, and my heart catches within me. I long to recognize it, live in it. Lift me I pray. Prepare Your chrysalis for me that I too may be changed .

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 145:10-11

All your works shall give thanks to you,

O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you.

They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,