Wanderers: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:38, “of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.”

Merrill F. Unger refers to the time between the testaments as The Four Hundred Silent Years counting from the prophet Malachi to the arrival of the prophet John the Baptist. Most Biblical records for this era come from Jewish historians.

A the end of one portion of historical Jewish history, sometimes referred to as the time of the Maccabees (see post Destitute), they cleansed the Temple and, “They celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the festival of booths, remembering how not long before…they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals.” According to the records this self-banishment lasted almost thirty years.

Their faith took them into this harried lifestyle with no guarantee that they would be rescued or ever able to return home. They fled in order to remain true to God in worship. They gave up everything they knew and loved to follow faithfully God’s words of truth.

And that day may come again to God’s people.

Would we be as ready to stand up with this level of courage? We who some days get upset over changes to our schedules, perceived intrusions in our lives, and fragile egos at hints of disagreement?

Not apart from the Word and the Spirit to sustain us.

During those silent years the words and stories of Yahweh as told by His prophets carried on through generation-to-generation waiting and hoping for Messiah. And each Lenten season we remember the real deliverance fulfilled.  We often choose to give up something during this season, either a habit that has become a hold on us, or time so as to spend more fellowship in prayer.

Sometimes though that focus on making it through Lent without … becomes our primary concern. Or during any other season of life when we face loss and can only manage to make it through the days. Instead, perhaps we should choose to celebrate that Jesus has won the victory for us and that regardless of loss or gain, He supplies true hope every day. His courage every day. His faith every moment.

Lord, please write your words into our hearts, so that we can pass on Your stories to the next generation so that they will know Your hope.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 55:6-8

“And I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

Behold I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness.

I would hasten to my place of refuge from the stormy wind and tempest.”

Recant: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Recant

A prison cell,

bread and butter,

conditions intended

to break prophet down

recant his words

speed false peace.

Did not waver.

Knew to utter false hope

a greater dungeon

forging spiritual

captivity.

Reflection Recant: Faith Seeds and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Whether telling some white lies or not continues to be a ongoing debate, how do you think a consistent pattern of telling white lies can weaken a person’s capacity to tell the truth in a costly confrontation?

2.     What is your internal conversation when a friend or mentor gives you negative feedback? What makes you accept it if you do?

3.     How willing are you to give honest feedback? Is your style confrontational or compassionate?

Share: Have you spoken truth in a public setting knowing there could be severe consequences? Why? What was the result?

Persecution: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11:37, “…persecuted, tormented—”.

When asked to bring forth a prophet to confirm the word of the Lord, King Ahab of Israel reluctantly acknowledged Micaiah. Then added, “but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.”2 Chronicles 18:26

The prophet once again spoke the words the Lord gave and Ahab angrily ordered Micaiah to prison, to be fed sparingly until his safe return. To which the prophet added, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” I can’t help but consider the prophet’s answer had a touch of dry irony to it, yet regardless of tone he continued to speak the truth, no matter the consequences. He fully acknowledged his own capacity for error while affirming the undeniable truth of God’s words. And he stood firm on God’s words—willing to accept dire outrage.

What a contrast to the king who kept insisting Micaiah change his words to please him and refusing to listen to truth. So set on his own desires that he willfully chose to react with persecution over honest petition for direction.

Persecution seems a little beyond our own reactions to negative feedback, but is it? How often do we accuse others of malice or envy or misunderstanding or self-serving intent when we receive negative replies? Especially when we have sought out counsel. We may not actually say the words out loud; yet internally argue to mask our refusal to accept truth.

Lord, please give us integrity of heart to choose to listen and speak Your words, instead of refusing them for self-interest.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 111:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;

His praise endures forever.”

Wilderness: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

     Wilderness

     Without hesitation

     they fled

     to hills, to deserts,

     leaving behind possessions

     choosing destitution

     not running away from

     but toward desire,

     longing to live

     in righteousness

     and justice.

     Wilderness a haven.

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.”