Remember: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Remember

                Inward and outward 

                when we listen

                remember we abide

                in forgiveness and mercy

                timeless kindness

                that resists worry

                and fear and weakness

                in our hearts

                instead filled with

                Holy redemption.

Psalm 107:1-2: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His loving kindness is ever lasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary."

Remember: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 24

“The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” Joshua 24: 24

Joshua gathers Israel for a final address and reminds them first that they did not conquer the land by their own bow or by sword. They did not build the towns or cities that they now lived in. The land they now owned came from the Lord their God and by His provision.

So, Joshua exhorts, “revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.” Choose, he reminds them. Who will you serve this day?

“The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” They made a solemn commitment, and so Joshua made them a covenant, wrote it in the book of law of God, took a large stone and set it under the oak by the sanctuary of the Lord.

“See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the Lord.”

And Israel continued to serve the Lord all the days of Joshua.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Jesus reminds His followers of His provision and protection. First seek.

Lord, help us to remember that all we have is by Your grace and provision. Help us to not choose anxiety and worry before trust and prayer. Keep our hearts sincere in faithfulness and as a strong witness of Your truth so that we too will obey Your words as well.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 144:14

“May there be no breach in the walls, no exile, and no cry of distress in our streets.” 

Refining Words

SKY

Woven in the heavens

star lit reminders

shower

whole world

read in the darkness

of the night skies

remember

promises

prophecies

possibilities

dark clouds can only

shroud,

not contain

story written

from the beginning

firmament’s

thread.

John 20

Tabernacle

Blue

Threads of remembrance

visual reminders

sewn in fringes,

outermost curtains.

Blue edged, hemmed

woven in corners

encompassed color.

Precursor to

understanding

Advocate’s explanations.

Creation blue

seamlessly stretched

breathed counsel.

Numbers 15:38, “speak to the Israelites and tell them to make fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations and to put blue cord on the fringe of each corner.”

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 24:7, Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!”

Covenant from God. Words of life streaming through generations. Choice to accept, obey, reject, rebel. Israel chose all His words, promised to comply in full.

Generations later people of Israel gathered before Ezra the scribe, returned exiles again, ready to hear God’s covenant. Ezra brought the law to “the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding,…from early morning until midday; they answered ‘Amen, Amen!’” and worshipped. Then the law was explained to them so that they could understand the reading.

Eager for fellowship, eager to obey I too say amen before I even understand. As expectations and realities of my commitment become clear I backpedal fast, reneging on my pledge, claiming mis-information. Like Israel I keep falling away, and graciously God speaks His words once more, explaining, encouraging, exhorting.

Speak Your words deep in my heart Lord that I perceive and obey with Your power to perform. Otherwise I am like the soil that accepts Your seed, springs immediately with no depth and withers away. Give me deeper roots I pray.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 105:8

He has remembered His covenant forever,

The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,