Stand: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Stand

                                                To stand firm

                                                despite fear

                                                forms a strong

                                                foundation built on

                                                gospel’s truth

                                                grounded in Spirit

                                                protected by faith

                                                promise of Scripture.

                                                To stand firm

                                                day by day.

Psalm 18:13: “The Lord also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.”

And Looked: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

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                                               And Looked

                                                When we stand

                                                over the abyss

                                                and look through

                                                our sight

                                                fear freezes us

                                                into statues

                                                unable to move.

                                                When we stand

                                                over the abyss

                                                and look through

                                                His word everything

                                                changes, shifts,

                                                hope dissolves emptiness.

                                                We stretch

                                                out into possibilities

                                                with peace.

Romans 8:26, “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Reflection: Stand: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1. How is your sleep pleasant or restless?

2. What are you facing in the next few weeks or months?

3. Is your heart fearful or at peace even if there is uncertainty or resistance ahead?

4. What word of peace do you need to hear from the Lord to give you His peace this morning?

5. Ask Him.

Stand: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 26, “At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.”

And looked.

When we choose to look through the Lord’s sight and His purpose we are at peace within—regardless of the mountain(s) ahead.

When we look through our own failures and fears we become paralyzed. Grief and guilt take over.

Again and again and again the Lord rescues us.

Whether we face night or day, darkness or light, we can stand firm as a sentry on duty watching with a clear focus, confident in His care, and able to share our worry before it freezes us into anxiety.

“I will stand on my guard post

And station myself on the rampart;

And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,

And how I may reply when I am reproved.” Habakkuk 2:1 NASB

Lord, please wake us up anytime we wander away from Your truth. Keep our sight, our hearts, our thoughts, and our purpose faith focused in trust.

Your thoughts,

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Stand

Three hundred men

divided into thirds

given trumpets

for one hand

empty jars with torches

for the other.

These their swords,

yet they stood in place

waited on command

obeyed in unison

won the day’s battle.

Walls that could not

be broken shattered

under God’s word.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How difficult is it for you to simply stand in place when there is danger or oppression approaching?

2.     What helps you discern whether a situation requires more or less resources?

3.     What battleground are you standing on right now? In whose strength are you standing?

Share: What unlikely weapon has God given you to use in a time of battle?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Judges 7:21, “Every man stood in his place all around the camp.”

Our world often extols victory based on quantity equating success with an overwhelming flood of resources, whether manpower or economics, technology or authority.

In the Book of Judges God calls Gideon to be His servant and defeat the power of Midian against Israel. Gideon is astonished. Not only is his house considered the least in Manasseh, but Gideon himself is the youngest. He cannot perceive how he could become mighty in war. Yet over 30,000 men come to battle at his side. Then, in Chapter seven, God reduces Gideon’s army to 300 men, “lest Israel become boastful.” And arms them with trumpets and torches. Not common tactics.

Yet they obey. They stand their ground. And God indeed makes them mighty.

Sometimes we are barely able to manage even standing still when we face circumstances that overwhelm and subjugate us into oppressive days. We cannot imagine a hint of becoming mighty in our battle. Only by the Spirit’s power can we hold our ground to possibly hope relief will come. And still doubts creep in.

 However when we trust Jesus’ promise to “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me..” and take our place under God’s direction, we too can stand firm in the strength of His word.

He gives us His power to become mighty in our daily wars—His way.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 18:39

“For Thou hast girded me with strength for battle;

Thou has subdued under me those who rose up against me.”

Tabernacle

Temple Pillar

Pillar recognized

stands, upholds

purpose.

Steadfast marks

conquered territory.

Stays firm

clear witness.

Revelation 3:12, “If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it.”