Leaning

lillies lean

after falling over

blooms adjust

 

Being able to adjust is a gift.

 

“My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.”   Psalm 25:15 NKJV

In Mourning

“And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless, Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted He had made Saul King over Israel.” 1 Samuel 15:25

How often do I mourn for those who are disobedient?

Lord, we desire to not just write someone off who has turned away from You, but to grieve for them in prayer. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Grieving for the Strayed

Sure of what they’re doing
there are those who have strayed

feeling they are right
but they have turned away

this is not a time for anger
or self-righteous pride

but a time for mourning
staying at God’s side.

* Note *
The next chapter starts out . . .”Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel’?” 1 Samuel 16:1
hmmm . . .egg on face. ” 🙂

Unrestrained

” . . .it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6

Jonathon and his armor bearer crossed over to the garrison of the Philistines. Those two were a few that God worked through to save many.

Lord, we rejoice today over the fact that nothing restrains You from carrying out Your purpose and Your plan. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Saving Many

You decided long ago
what You were going to do

and nothing has stopped
You from following through

on saving many
by the sacrifice of One

unrestrained redeeming
through the blood of Your Son.

Distress

“When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger, (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes and in pits.” 1 Samuel 13:6

Twenty-five years ago, I was in deep distress.

Thank You, Lord, for being our hiding place and knowing when we are in danger and distress. And here’s a simple poem . . .

A Very Real Danger

We can hide in pits of anger
in the thick of food

in sleepless holes
and caves of substance abuse

but it won’t take away
the very real danger of

living on the outside
and refusing Your love.

Empty Things

“And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.” 1 Samuel 12:21

I hear in this God’s utmost desire to save us from empty lives.

Thank You, Lord, for fulfilling us, blessing us and delivering us from the nothingness of life without You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Turning To You

What once was empty
You have filled

and futile thoughts
You have stilled

what amounted to nothing
You’ve changed for good

because You love us
and said You would.

To Accept or Not

“And Nahash the Ammorite answered them, ‘On this condition I will make a covenant with you; that I may put out all your right eyes, and bring reproach on all Israel’.” 1 Samuel 11:2
“So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people. And all the people lifted up their voices and wept.” 1 Samuel 11:4

The people began to weep when they heard Nahash’s statement.

Lord, we desire to pray and seek You first before we accept anything into our lives. And here’s a simple poem . . .

I Need To Know

When I hear the news
do I concede right away
think it’s a done deal
before I even pray?

Please help me to discern
just what I need to know
to stand in the gap
not giving in or letting go.

Kept For You

“So the cook took up the thigh with its upper part and set if before Saul. And Samuel said, ‘Here it is, what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat; for until this time it has been kept for you, since I said I invited the people’.” 1 Samuel 9:24

When a family member is delayed past dinner time, we save some back for them.

Lord, thank You for encouraging those of us who feel left out and left behind today, that You have something set apart for us. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Set Apart and Kept Back

I know you are struggling
with all you’re going through

you’re not even sure
what you’re suppose to do

but I have something kept back
set apart for you

keep pressing on and into Me
your time is almost due.

The Truth About Rejection

“And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them’.” 1 Samuel 8:7 NKJV

Rejection always stinks.

Lord, please show me where I’m rejecting Your reign over me today. And here’s a simple poem . . .

It’s About You

The rejection feels personal
as we open up our hearts

and start to share the gospel
Jesus on the cross

but the truth is that You’re
the One being rejected here

so we pray for all to believe
to accept You and draw near.

Prepare Your Hearts

“Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, ‘If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Astoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines’.” 1 Samuel 7:3

We prepare for tests, prepare dinner, and prepare ourselves (somewhat) before heading out the door.

Lord, help us to prepare our hearts for You, putting aside anything contrary to Your Word, so we can serve You only. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Nothing But Worship

Be careful what your heart beholds
and longs to hang onto
causing it to serve
other gods, not Me.

Look strong and sure at My Word
and let it purify you
leaving you with nothing
but worship, for Me.

Who Is Able?

“And the men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? And to whom shall it go up from us?” 1 Samuel 6:20

Prior to standing before God, I want to stay on my face in front of Him.

Thank You, Lord, for making a way for us to stand before You through Jesus. And here’s simple poem . . .

Because of Jesus

Who can stand before
such a mighty God as this?

Who can live a life
of such perfect holiness?

Before we turn away
sure it can’t be done

He says, “Come, come to Me
I’ve made a way through my Son.”