August 12th - Finding the Father

Finding the Father

(Jeremiah 23:9-40)

Jeremiah the Prophet

By Michaelangelo

In today’s Bible readings, the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah continued his attack upon false prophets in Judah. These charlatans attempted to mislead the people of God, as many still do, trumpeting their tales of good fortune to come.

Jeremiah spoke forth the word of the Lord, promising His accessibility to any who would seek Him wholeheartedly. Jehovah desired fellowship with those who loved Him, even as He does today.

“I did not send these prophets,
yet they have run with their message;
I did not speak to them,
yet they have prophesied.

But if they had stood in My council,
they would have proclaimed My words to My people
and would have turned them from their evil ways
and from their evil deeds.

‘Am I only a God nearby,’
declares the Lord,
‘and not a God far away?

Can anyone hide in secret places
so that I cannot see him?’
declares the Lord.
‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’
declares the Lord.”

(Jeremiah 23:21-24, NIV, emphasis added)

Here’s a poem the Lord gave me today. May your heart be blessed, as you seek the heart of the Father.

Found for Freedom

A Naisaiku Stake on Chains to Break

Can you see the Lord?

Hands play shadows on the wall,

To shake or stir us.

Is God paying attention?

To shake or stir us,

Hands play shadows on the wall.

Can you see the Lord?

Break the bonds that hold.

Free us from the chains we forge.

What steps could we take?

Visions fail, but God’s Word holds.

What steps could we take?

Free us from the chains we forge.

Break the bonds that hold.

Liberty that lasts,

Calling prisoners released,

Name us as You will.

Fill us with a freedom song.

Name us as You will,

Calling prisoners released –

Liberty that lasts.

c2009 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Will you pray with me?

Father of Freedom,

You call us to liberty

In Your lasting love.

Cast off the chains that hold us –

Binding us

In habits and hoardings

Of our own making.

Stand us up

In Your great strength,

That we may rejoice

In honoring You.

Amen.

Posted for a variety of prompts:

Easy Street Prompts (“hand shadows”)

Haiku Fridays (haiku poetry)

Meme Express (Friday Freedom)

Monday Poetry Train (poem/s)

Naisaiku Challenge (Naisaiku poetry)

Simply Snickers (“shake,” “step” and “stir”)