Waiting: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

                                               Waiting

                                                To trust

                                                may mean no agenda

                                                no course of action

                                                no direct plan

                                                or maybe all

                                                without any sense

                                                of accomplishment

                                                direction

                                                uncertainty each step

                                                into a void

                                                yet keep going

                                                in trust.

Psalm 18:27, “For Thou dost save an afflicted people; But haughty eyes Thou dost abase.”

Waiting: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Waiting

                       

                        Does waiting come

                        with tap dancing

                        precision

                        caught up in rhythm

                        attuned to

                        musical beats

                        expectant pleasure.

                        Or a foot stomping

                        tantrum kicking

                        dirt

                        swirling doubts

                        scratching the word’s

                        raspy notes

                        creating static.

Bird Struck! Elf Owl

Family Devotional

Day Twenty

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

In North America, Elf Owls are found in desert regions. They can be as small as a sparrow and often nest in old woodpeckers’ holes. They can also camouflage themselves up against a tree when they suspect danger. They are known as the smallest owl in the world.

Like all owls they see extremely well in the dark because of extra-long light- gathering rods in their eyes. But to look around, they need to be able to turn their heads. They can move up to 270 degrees.

Because the edges of their wings are fluffy, rather than stiff, they are able to fly without making a sound. Their prey doesn’t hear them coming because the softness of the wings muffles their approach.

Since their size makes them vulnerable to predators, these attributes of stealth make it possible for them to hunt for their food and keep hidden at the same time.

There is wisdom in silence. Sometimes it is as uncomfortable as when we see an elf owl turn its head and suddenly see its gleaming yellow eyes. Yet if we learn to listen carefully in silence, we will have a clearer understanding of where we are to go or how we are to act. No matter how small we may feel we are.

Our lives are often so busy that our feelings and thoughts need time to catch up with us. So the silent waiting of an elf owl gives us a good example to watch carefully.

Action

1. Turn out all the lights in your bedroom and stay very still. What do you see and hear that looks different?

2. With an adult’s supervision, play a game of hide-and-seek using camouflage. Who did the best?

3. Next time you have to wait for someone, wait in complete silence. What do you notice?

           

Read More

Psalm 130:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Are you at peace in God’s provision sustaining morning and night or are you anxiously watching?

2.     What would make the difference within you, even if the outer circumstances don’t appear to change?

3.     Have you asked friends to support you in prayer?

4.     How can we tell the difference between being passive and waiting?

Share: What provision has the Lord supplied for you today?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How hard is it for you to wait for answers of any kind?

2.     Do you struggle to find a ‘long wait’ faith in our instant culture? What helps you take a distant approach when necessary?

3.     Or recognize a short-term answer as coming from the Lord and not a man-made solution?

4.     Many year ago I met a woman who was instrumental in helping others grow in faith, yet she herself waited forty years for her husband to realize how much Jesus loved him. What is the longest you have had to wait for an answered promise from God. Does it help now with the one before you?

Share: Ask a friend to pray with you this week over a long awaited promise.

Kingdom Manna

Key

Mark 4:28, “The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.”

In our push button modern technology we expect instant responses. Information requested a century ago by post could take several weeks to receive a reply. Today we are irritated if our e-mail question is not answered within the hour. Or we are frustrated from performing our duties by the constant demand for prompt answers. We can reach the uttermost corners of the world with our resources, but have lost the capacity to wait.

Creation continues to travel at the pace for which God programmed it. Fish and fowl follow tides and seasons. Crops grow in deliberate stages. For all, either delay or haste can cause destruction. The earth moves within its appointed time.

Intricately imbued with a signal towards life nature awaits God’s schedule. “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Calm me Lord when Your answers are delayed. Create in me a quiet peace that recognizes Your timing is targeted to Your purposes.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 69:13

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the

abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus: 40:33, Thus Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

When all was complete as the Lord requested, the cloud covered the tent. God Himself filled the tabernacle. He sat on a material throne, an earthly abode, to be with His people.

“It is finished!” Jesus returned to His Father. Restored to His glory He had set aside for earth’s residence. Clothed in royal robes, He sits on His heavenly throne, interceding for us. Waiting.

When the time is come there will be a new heaven and a new earth. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.” He will draw His people to His abode.

I ask, Lord, that until that time, I may abide in You. Fill my heart with Your love and prepare me for the day I may see You face to face. To You, Lord, be the glory.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 89:14

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne;

Lovingkindness and truth go before Thee.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 17:9, So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us, and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”

Sometimes the call comes to fight. To enter the fray, pouring our very lives into the battle. We can only go when God chooses and as He directs. Until then we stand our posts and wait. Clothed with breastplate, sword, and shield, ready to participate.

But other times the battle is behind the scenes. A silent station fighting a silent battle alone or in communion with others. A battle of prayer. “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

Joshua commissioned to physical labor against the enemy. Moses commissioned to spiritual struggle against the foe. Both parts required to complete God’s victory. Both maintained their position until the combat ended. Both covered in God’s armor.

Lord may I be ready at Your call. Whether to wait and encourage, to enter the skirmish with time and energy, to silently watch with prayer. Strengthen me to stand my station.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 140:7

“O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation,

Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.”

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 13:7, Now it came about when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.”

Our family once had a dark blue station wagon that was prone to overheating. This condition was not caused by length of trip, elevation, windy roads, or even warm weather. It just happened, and we simply never knew if we would reach our destinations on time, or if we would find ourselves on a roadside, waiting for the steam shooting from under the hood to subside from its billowy tantrum. Often we were pressed to pass the time creatively.

Waiting is frustrating. Detours are aggravating. We are set to go from point A to point B in minimum time. Why delay? Waiting seems such a waste, so purposeless.

Israel had a direct, clear route to Canaan, the Promised Land. A flush of freedom, of escape, propelled them forward. Anticipation tasted sweet. And God led them by a side passage, a longer less satisfying route: to protect them, to preserve them, to prepare them throughout the journey.

“A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.”

God knew a people fresh from slavery could handle only certain circumstances. They would require strength before facing war and dangers. The simple route hid deadly snares.

Thank you Lord for setting me on the roadside to sit a spell until it’s safe to travel again. Help me remember that when You direct the detour, or the delay, You are protecting me.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 103: 14

For He Himself knows our frame;

he is mindful that we are but dust.

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 3: 12, When you have brought the people out of Egypt

Fresh baked aromas permeate the air. A hungry child pleads with his parent “When?” The answer “Soon” doesn’t satisfy. A few minutes later “When?” is repeated. Waiting takes forever states the cliché to all ages.

A limit is implied though. We are waiting for something to happen. Once the when is accomplished our wait is over. The object needs to be reached, the decision made, the commitment acted upon.

When God saw that Moses turned aside to look, then, deliverance from Egypt began. Moses’ task could be set before him. When Moses completed the immediate call and brought Israel to the mountain, then, the sign-worship. When you go, you will go empty-handed. Then, God would release the recompense from Pharaoh’s hard grasp.

Jesus “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross”. Then, salvation. Then, spiritual riches. Then, inheritance.

Forgive my impatience Lord as I implore results and rewards in prayer. Show me first where I have forgotten Your when, of obedience. Then, hold me in Your keeping until Your time is right.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 145:15

The eyes of all look to Thee,

And Thou dost give them their food in due time.