Reflection Destitute: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How willing would you be to become completely destitute by choice?

2.     Do you think the Lord might ask a partial form of ‘destitution’ in some areas of our lives? Why?

3.     Often during Lent we willingly give up something to remind us of sacrifice? When do you think our offering should instead become a permanent choice?

Share: How has God blessed you in a season of destitution?

Destitute: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:37, “; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute….”

Destitute is not a choice we tend to make willingly. There is a badge of shame attached, even if we become victims of fraud or scams or embezzlements due to organizations and policies far beyond our control, or sometimes even knowledge.

The attitude towards the homeless in our midst ranges from sorrow to derision, and our actions from compassion to rejection. We cringe when our financial circumstances shrinks drawing us closer to their circumstances.

Complete destitution goes beyond financial security though to encompass emotional, spiritual, and relational connections as well. So we naturally resist.

In Jewish history there are stories of a national group who rose up against Antiochus Epiphanes, a king, who came to power in a time between the prophets, and sought to abolish all Jewish worship. When Mattathias, an aged priest residing in Modein, saw the blasphemies being committed, he first mourned in sackcloth.  When the kind’s officers began to enforce the apostasy, he outright refused to bow to the king’s commandments and abandon the covenant of their ancestors.

“Then he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town. At that time many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to live there.”

In order to remain completely faithful to God, they were willing to give up everything immediately. A desire for righteousness superseded all other concerns.

If asked to willingly become destitute, I think there is a part of me that would be asking, “Can I still keep this?”

Lord, please clean our hearts to desire Your words, Your ways above all else—even if that requires a wilderness lifestyle dependant solely on You.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 86:1-3

“Incline Thy ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy.

Do preserve my soul, for I am a godly man;

O Thou my God, save Thy servant who trusts in Thee.

Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to Thee I cry all day long.”

Silent Broadcast: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Silent Broadcast

News of the prophet’s

flight sent the enraged

king in pursuit

goal—revenge.

Anger at authority challenged,

refused God’s spoken reprimand.

Uriah struck down by sword

buried in common ground

now a thundering witness as

poignant story spreads

throughout the land

crying out like Abel’s blood.

Stained stones condemn tyrants

in silent broadcast.

Reflection Revenge: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Has revenge or ridicule forced you to leave a job or relationship?

2.     Did it leave a hold over you of failure or of faithfulness on your soul?

3.     How has the experience strengthened or weakened you to speak out as a witness to truth when words need to be made public?

Share: What is a soul blessing you have received for staying true to God’s words.

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.”

Stoned: Faith Seeds

   
             Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry



      

                       Stoned

Shutting their ears

to truth not enough

to satisfy—needed

to stone speaker as well

to silence public witness

too late to realize words

seeped into their own hearts

to linger.

Stoned to Death: Reflection Questions

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How willing are you to hear truth spoken into your own life?

2.     What is your automatic reaction to accountability?

3.     Reverse—how willing are you to speak truth to a loved one?

4.     What do you do to prepare for the encounter?

Share: What reply do you give when ridiculed for Jesus?