A Void

“And the people grieved for Benjamin, because the Lord had made a void in the tribes of Israel.” Judges 21:15

Yes, the people mourned and wept. But they also didn’t rest until they saw Benjamin restored.

Lord, what void have You created for us to fill in Your name today? And here’s a simple poem . . .

As A Whole

Why would You seek to destroy
the tribe of Benjamin

when it was You who created
and established them

if not to stir the hearts
of the brethren

to act as a whole
Your body filled with compassion.

This is the last post from Judges. Boy, that went fast. 🙂 I’m returning to the New Testament book – Romans – next! Thank you for your help and prayers and comments. God bless you!

Weeping Before God

“Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, went up and came to the house of God and wept . They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening . . .” Judges 20:26

When was the last time I really wept before the Lord? I think it’s been too long.

Lord, break my heart for my brothers and sisters, for the lost and the hurting today. And here’s a simple poem . . .

For Real

I can bring others to You
with a nice little prayer

and not have to get too messy
or involved in what’s there

or I can let You show me
how it is You feel

when You know someone is suffering
and begin to pray for real.

Please Stay and Be Content

“Then it came to pass on the fourth day that they arose early in the morning, and he stood to depart; but the young woman’s father said to his son-in-law, ‘Refresh your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way’.” Judges 19:5
“So they sat down, and the two of them ate and drank together. Then the young woman’s father said to the man, ‘Please be content to stay all night, and let your heart be merry’.” Judges 19:6

God invites us to stay with Him, glad to know us . . .enjoying our company.

Oh Lord, let me not be anxious to depart from Your presence, but stay and be refreshed as You know I have need of. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Spending Time

I desperately need
what I can only have

by spending
time with You

being refreshed
in Your presence

so You can permeate
all I do.

Taken Away

“So he said, ‘You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and you have gone away. Now what more do I have? How can you say to me, ‘What ails you’?” Judges 18:24

At the end of Chapter 17, Micah was sure that God would be good to him now. And so He was.

Lord, please help me to surrender anything in my life that I am worshiping more than You, before it has to be taken away. But either way, I want it to go. And here’s a simple poem . . .

What More Do I Have?

I see what I have is good
and it certainly may be
but am I thinking more of it
than I am of Thee?

I give it back to You, oh Lord
before I set it on a throne
and rejoice in the blessing
of worshiping You alone.

God Glasses

“In these days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6

The “everyone did what was right” part in the verse above sounded so good, but yet we know things weren’t good at that time. Often the desire to do right is there, but we have “I” problems.

Lord, I desire to come in for an exam whenever I slip into thinking my sight is always right. Please fit me with a pair of God glasses today so I can see the truth of what I’m doing. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Before I Fall

When being right
becomes more important
than being humble
before You, Lord

then I know
that I have stumbled
and need to put
my God glasses on.

Bended Spoon posted about I glasses too, way before me! Here’s her post to check out!

http://bendedspoon.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/don’t-wear-your-iglasses

Good Question

“Then she said to him, ‘How can you say, “I love you”;’ when your heart is not with me?” Judges 16:15

Although Delilah was being deceitful with Samson, she posed a good question.

Lord, please show me what areas of my heart and life I am trying to keep from You today. And here’s a simple poem . . .

There’s More

I sing the words to a song
“I give You my all”

and believe at the time
that it’s true

until in a clear quiet moment
I hear Your voice

and know there’s more
revealing to do.

Mightily Upon Us

“When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands.” Judges 15:14

God had planned for Samson before he was conceived or born. And for each of us as well.

Lord, we thank You for the power of Your Holy Spirit that breaks the bonds that hold us down and sets us free to live for You. And here’s a simple poem . . .

When The Spirit Comes

When the Spirit
comes upon us mightily
there is nothing that can stop
what happens next.

Bonds are broken
and prisoners are set free
the saved sing hallelujah
and dance.

Of The Lord

“Then his father and mother said to him, ‘Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?’ And Samson said to his father, ‘Get her for me, for she pleases me well’.” Judges 14:3
“But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord – that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines.” Judges 14:4

Most of us figure out sooner or later that we have very little control over anyone else’s choices and behavior.

Oh Lord, help us to trust You and what You’ve said when things don’t appear to be going according to plans. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Even Now

How we thought things would turn out
slips right through our hands

how could this possibly be going
according to His plan

but He is not unknowing
nor has He lost control

and soon He’ll be showing
how even this is of the Lord.

When Responding

“When the Angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and his wife, then Manoah knew that He was the Angel of the Lord.” Judges 13:21
“And Manoah said to his wife, ‘We shall surely die, for we have seen God’!” Judges 13:22
“Then his wife said to him, ‘If the Lord had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things, nor would He have told us such things as these at this time’.” Judges 13:23

One happening . . .two very different responses.

Lord, I desire to respond to people and situations according to the truth of Your word and who You are. And here’s a simple poem . . .

First Response

Let me stop and consider
what is happening
and put it through the filter
of Jesus my King
to see if what I know of Him
is from where my thoughts arise
to form my first reactions
based on truth instead of lies.

A Little Help Please

“And Jepthat said to them, ‘My people and I were in a great struggle with the people of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me out of their hands’.” Judges 12:2
“So when I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the people of Ammon; and the Lord delivered them into my hand.” Judges 12:3

There are going to be times in our lives when no one can, or will, help us.

Lord, I thank You for all the wonderful people You put in my life that help me daily. I also thank You for the depth of Your love and faithfulness that sees me through the things I have to do on my own. And here’s a simple poem . . .

Ever Present Help

When waiting for human help
and help doesn’t come

the temptation rises to blame
and shame everyone

but going ahead and stepping out
to do what needs done

we find all the help we need
in Father, Spirit, and Holy Son.