Initial Response

“Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” Numbers 27:16-17

This was the initial response from Moses after hearing he wouldn’t be entering the Promised Land with the children of Israel.

Oh Lord, help me think of others before giving an emotional response based solely on my feelings. And here’s a simple poem . . .

First care

Because You really know
it’s more about being “we”
than so many
“me, me, me’s”
please help us
think and act
as a congregation of One
under the Son.

Thank you for all of the beautiful comments and prayerful responses you add here.

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Remaining

“These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jerico.” Numbers 26:63
“But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered. . .in the wilderness of Sinai. So there was not left a man of them except Caleb. . .and Joshua.” Numbers 26:65

I feel I can relate to the generation that never made it out of the wilderness of Sinai.

O Lord, even if all my days be spent in the wilderness, I thank You for allowing me to live each one to the fullest with You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

With You

Life is a blur
of rough terrain

each clearing entered
grows over again

but there is beauty
in the wilderness too

each time I look
and always find You.

Zealous One

“Phineas . . .has turned back My wrath, from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal.” Numbers 25:11

For some reason, the word “zeal” scares me a little. But maybe the lack of zeal is what should really scare me.

Thank You, O God, for sending us Your zealous Son to be pierced for our sins, turning back the outcome of a life apart from You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Turning Back

Zealous for His Father
Jesus never once
compromised holiness
compassionately cleansing
the plague
of our flesh.

Kept Back From Honor

” Now therefore flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the Lord has kept you back from honor.” Numbers 24:11

Balak was so upset in the above verse, when Balaam couldn’t curse Israel. Balaam could only speak the words the Lord put in his mouth.

Oh Lord, please keep me back from honor today if it would in anyway dishonor You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

To Honor You

Oh let me fill my days
with all the ways
there are to
honor You –
to pray and praise
Your wonderful name
giving glory to
all You do.

“Oh What God Has Done”

“The Lord his God is with him,
And the shout of a King is among them
God brings them out of Egypt . . .
It now must be said of Jacob
And of Israel, ‘Oh what God has done.'” Numbers 23:21-23

That there is the tiny nation of Israel today in the place God established it thousands of years ago, surrounded by countries who do not wish it to exist at all, makes me say indeed – look what God has done!

Father, we thank You for all You have done and are doing in and for Israel. We also thank You for what You have done bringing each of us out of our own personal Egypts . . .giving us new life with You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Out of Egypt

Twenty-four years ago I passed
from Egypt’s grasp
into a place
filled with His grace.

Hard to believe so much has changed
and rearranged
inside of me
setting me free.

I stop and look – what You have done
through Christ Your Son
amazement sings
praise to my King!

This is one of those poems I’m not thrilled with. It is done in the Minute Form that I learned over at Jessie Carty’s poetry blog, but I just didn’t get it worked out very well before it was time to post it. I welcome your poems or any improvements to this one!

New Neighbors

“Then he sent messengers to Balaam . . .to call him, saying, ‘Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me!’ ” Numbers 22:5

Balak goes on to ask Balaam to curse his new neighbors. He wants them gone. And I wonder if I have been less than welcoming when change settles in.

Oh Lord, please change how I view change, that I might be a blessing and not a curse. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Settling With Change

Each time change comes
I can decide
whether to embrace it
or turn it aside.

Prisoners of War

“When the King of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwells in the South, heard that Israel was coming on the road to Atharim, then he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners.” Numbers 21:1
“So Israel made a vow to the Lord, and said, ‘If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities’.” Numbers 21:2
“And the Lord listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites . . .” Numbers 21:3

To this day, Israeli soldiers are targeted to be taken as prisoners. Their enemies know how valuable their sons and daughters are and so use them to barter with and make demands.

Thank You Lord, for coming to set the captives free. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Freedom Fighters

Can I be okay
while there are those imprisoned
by politics and poverty
addictions and fears?
Teach me how to
reach out with You, Lord
to let them know
freedom is here.

The King’s Highway

“Please let us pass through your country. We will not pass through fields or vineyards, nor will we drink water from wells; we will go along the King’s Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory.” Numbers 20:17

Edom refused Israel’s request to pass through the land.

Lord, thank You for Your Holy Highway that passes through what the enemy considers his. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Road Trip

There is a highway
that we travel
entering into
what isn’t safe
but we must go
and grab the hands of
all those willing
to leave that place.

Open Vessels

“This is the law when a man dies in a tent: All who come into the tent and all who are in the tent shall be unclean seven days; and every open vessel, which has no cover fastened on it, is unclean.” Numbers 19:14-15

Much can and has been said about being open minded.

Thank You, Lord, for Your Holy Spirit which covers and filters what comes into Your vessels. And here’s a simple poem . . .

His Filter

To be an open vessel
with a Holy Spirit lid
allowing in what brings life
shutting out what reeks of sin.

Our Portion

“Then the Lord said to Aaron, ‘You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.” Numbers 18:20

I knew of a man who valued his inheritance more than his father from which it came.

Thank You, Lord, for what we have in You. Help us not to grasp and grab for earthly portions. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Inheriting

Our portion
our peace
our joy
and happiness
lies in the promise
of Jesus
our hope
and sustenance.