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

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you had someone deny you forgiveness?

2.     Have you denied yourself the possibility of forgiveness?

3.     In what ways does that make you wonder about God’s gift of restoration?

4.     What part of you needs to trust in order to accept: mind, heart, or will?

5.     What defines restoration for you personally?

Restored: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 18, “I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf; Bring me back that I may be restored, For Thou art the Lord my God.”

May be restored.

Sometimes our grief can so envelop us that we cannot see clearly or discern the difference between chastisement or condemnation, both towards ourselves and towards others. So the separation and the isolation build brick walls around our hearts.

May be restored.

Scripture says chastise. A door open to forgiveness and restoration and renewal. In God’s hands there is no sin that cannot be forgiven. No sin that cannot be survived. In His hands and in His care and in His mending ways.

May be restored.

Step by step sometimes in agonizing slowness. And yet the grief can be unveiled and with each layer His presence brings clearer sight. Clearer vision to begin again.

May be restored.

Soak this promise into each one of us, Lord, so that we will always bring our tears and sins, and denials, into Your hands remembering that You stand by us in truth, love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Your thoughts,

Heirs: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Heirs

For which inheritance

do we build for ourselves

for our children

do we strive for present bounty

filling coffers of ownership

despite no guarantees

from disasters, failures, wars, barriers

dashing hopes and dreams into dust.

Forget that another legacy is

deeded to each individual

from every generation a

destiny of promises

for restoration

do we accept discernment

for today’s challenges

do we see beyond crushing darkness.

For timeless light

delivered by grace

paid into hope

on His word

rescued one by one

shall return.

Romans 8: 17, “And if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”

Reflection: Shall Return: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

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Reflection Questions

1.     What inheritance from your family have you most cherished?

2.     What inheritance have you most been plagued or challenged to change?

3.     How does this promise of hope in the future resonate for you for your loved ones?

4.     Where do you need prayer for the Lord to intervene?

Shall Return: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 17, “‘And there is hope for your future,’ declares the Lord, ‘And your children shall return to their own territory.’”

Shall return.

Each child shall be restored. Each brought into their own personal territory.

Despite our family failures, misguided pursuits, shallow heritage. Or successes that blinds us all to what real hope means.

To each generation will be given the costly gift of grace—the truth spoken into each heart. No matter how we may have muddled words or worship. Or brought ourselves into worldly lies.

His promise continues to stand into eternity even if we don’t see the return in our lifetimes.

He will guide our focus and prayers to this hope in all times through the power of the Holy Spirit. He does not leave us alone in confusion and uncertainty.

Please forgive us Lord for the many ways we have failed to pass on to our children the inheritance that really matters. Even in our weakness and silence please still speak into their hearts that they will not be turned from You because of our failures. Redeem us all by Your grace. We pray as Your children who have strayed in darkness.

Your thoughts,

Shall Be Rewarded: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Shall Be Rewarded

Work done

will see completion

whether or not

we will be present

yet to know

years of commitment

yearning for fruit’s

yield shall be

rewarded by time

restoration to hope

revealing hidden truths

ready to return

restrain from weeping.

Romans 8:16, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

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

Reflection Questions

1.     What do you consider to be the most important work in your life?

2.     How do you define your heart’s work?

3.     What kind of reward do you expect from the Lord?

4.     Are you willing to persevere without seeing the end result? Why or why not?