All The Days Of His Life

“So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life.”  2 Kings 25:29

“And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life.”  2 Kings 25:30

Jehoiachin was blinded and locked away, but not forgotten forever.

Lord, thank You for bringing out the imprisoned and letting us sit at Your table for the rest of our days.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

My Portion

What more could I ask
than to be at the table with You

cared for by Your presence       
included in what You do

my needs being met
each and everyday

never going hungry
fed by You always.

Carry Into Captivity

“And he carried out from there all the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the kings house . . .”  2 Kings 24:13

“Also he carried into captivity all Jerusalem; all the captains and all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the  crasftsmen and smiths.  None remained except the poorest people of the land.”  2 Kings 24:14

What a shock it must have been to see their lives dismantled.

Lord, please carry into captivity all my rebellious thoughts today. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Lock It Up

Please, carry away             
what’s proud in me
lock it up
and throw away the key
leaving behind
the poor and needy
that begs to let
You be all it seeks.

Reading All The Words

“And the king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah, and with him all the inhabitants of Jerusalem – the priests and the  prophets and all the people, both small and great; and he read it in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the LORD.”  2 Kings 23:2

How blessed I am to be able to hold His word in my own hands, read it with my eyes and hear it as often as I’d like.

Oh Lord, please help us continue to get Your word out to others.  And here is a simple poem . . .

Send It Out

Could I remember Your word    
if only once I’d heard it
unable to hold it in my hands
and read it for myself
to turn the pages
and say it out loud
or send it forth
into the hands of others
waiting to touch, to see
to taste how good it is.

Tender and Humble Hearts

“But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD . . .this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard -”  2 Kings 22:18

“because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the  LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD.'”  2 Kings 22:19

We can’t go wrong with a tender and humble heart before God.

Lord, may my first response to You and others be one of tenderness and humility.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Concerning Tender Hearts          

When a harder word
comes today
may I not stiffen
and turn away
but bend humbly
and tenderly pray
for Your great mercy
and love that saves.

Our Lists

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem.”  2 Kings 21:1

“And he did evil in the sight of the LORD. . .”  2 Kings 21:2

Chapter 21 starts out with a long list of all Manasseh’s done wrong . . .and I know I had a list too.

Lord, thank You for taking away my record of evil by way of the cross.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

What Happened

I look at Manasseh’s                                
long list of sins
and know that I’m
no better than him
only that Jesus
washed mine away
by His blood
that Calvary day.

Surely

“Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord; the God of David your father; “I have heard your prayers, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you.  On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.” ‘ ”  2 Kings 20:5

Surely we shall all be healed.

Lord, please encourage all those who pray for healing today, that You see their tears and hear their prayers.  And here is a simple poem . . .

Seen and Heard

Oh loved ones
He knows how hard this is

sees your tears, hears your prayers
for you are surely His

and as eternal beings
this is not all there is

you will be healed and whole
forever and always in Him.

Message Received

“And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.”  2 Kings 19:14

My youngest needs help reading.  She cuts out coupons and spreads them before me.  We figure out together what they say.

Lord, we spread all the messages we’ve received today before You.  Please help us to understand them the way You do.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Before You                                                    

I try to read
what I’ve received today
but my eyes are not like Yours
and so I pray
as I lay it all out
before You there
that You show me what I need
to do through prayer.

Whose Steps?

“For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them . . .”  2 Kings 17:22

The fact that others are following in our paths puts a whole new realization to our steps.

Oh Lord, may all those who follow us be led straight to You.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Who I Can Follow

We must honor and love
those around us each day
be respectful and listen
to what they say
but when it comes to following
there is only One’s way
may we all run after
the Lord Jesus, I pray.

Besieged But Not Overcome

“Then Rezin king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to make war, and they besieged Ahaz but could not overcome him.”   2 Kings 16:5

(Just a note . . . Ahaz was not doing what was right in the sight of the LORD. 2Kings 16:2)

When we are besieged, we might feel overwhelmed, but we won’t be overcome.

Lord, thank You for overcoming all that will ever besiege us. And here is a simple poem . . .

Our Overcomer Has Come

Attacks keep happening
whatever they may be

internal or external
they besiege me

I feel the weight of them
and might get a little down

but in Jesus, I won’t be taken out
His victory is sound.

“In An Isolated House”

“He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned  fifty-two years in Jerusalem.  His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.”  2 Kings 15:2

“And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD. . .” 2 Kings 15:3

“Then the LORD struck the king, so that he was a leper until the day of his death; so he dwelt in an isolated house.  And Jotham the king’s son was over the royal house, judging the people of the land.”  2 Kings 15:5

The word isolation brings negative images to mind.

Lord, may those of us in more isolating circumstances develop an incredible relationship with You.  And here is a simple poem . . .

Pulled Aside

Are we really cut off
or just set apart

for a time of bonding
a special heart to heart

separated from being
in the midst of things

so we can listen and pray
to our King of Kings.