Sword: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Sword

                        Survived the sword

                        of death and despair

                        surrendered to living word

                        two-edged sword piercing

                        soul from spirit

                        judging heart

                        shaped now by grace

                        freed from sin’s decay

                        sanctified by promise

                        hope replaces wilderness

                        Spirit of Life restores.

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.”

Word: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Word

            Sword words

            wielded by Spirit

            bring two-edged

            perception

            removing sin’s cancer

            restoring life’s truth

            only under salvation’s

            helmet can we

            stand and face.

.

            With courage.

Reflection Helmet: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     When have seemingly ordinary words been used against you?

2.     When have you unintentionally used words against another person?

3.     How was the damage restored in either situation?

Share: How has the Spirit clarified words for you this week?

Uriah: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:37, “….they were killed by the sword,….”

When the prophet Uriah prophesied against the city and against the land (similar words to the prophet Jeremiah) King Jehoiakim attempted to put him to death. So the prophet escaped to Egypt.

You would think that would satisfy the king. No. Instead he set men to capture and return Uriah before him and then the king himself slew him with a sword. And threw his body into common ground for burial. Jer 26:23

Perhaps his intent was to make an example out of the prophet for speaking against his reign. And give warning to other prophets. Instead he made an example out of the prophet for being a faithful witness to God’s word regardless of the consequences.

Rather than hiding his actions from the truth, the king highlighted his wickedness by his very response. And the people saw a prophet who cherished God’s glory above earthly power.

Eternal lasting power over temporary earth bound rewards.

Uriah knew his soul was safe in God’s hands.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 57:5-6

“Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Thy glory be above all the earth.

They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down;

They dug a pit before me; They themselves have fallen into the midst of it.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What army with swords drawn is surrounding you this week? Write down their threats against you.

2.     Next to their threats, write down God’s words of promise and protection.

3.     As each threat draws nearer claim your word of promise and see the Lord standing with you.

Share: What word has the Lord given you this week to escape the edge of the sword?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

2 Kings 6: 16-17, “He replied, ‘Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them…So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

As Elisha’s servant woke to find an army circling the city, swords at hand, he naturally became concerned. All he could consider was the situation immediately before him and could not see any solution.

How often do we also face the day only considering the swords drawn against us: at work, at home, with extended family. Medical, physical, emotional, relational and spiritual battles can wear us down with such fatigue that we too are blind to any alternatives other than attack or defend.

But Elisha stood within another reality and shared it with his servant.

How would we react to ongoing threats, daily burdens, and sudden danger if we also saw God’s fire surrounding us? In Ephesians six we are given the details of the armor He provides: truth, righteousness, preparation of the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

As the world’s demands circle us with enticement and pressure and false choices we are not left defenseless. Yet not to fight back with similar weapons. Instead we ask the Lord to open our eyes to see His solution.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 68:19-20

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,

The God who is our salvation.

God is to us a God of deliverances;

And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.