May 14
________________________________________
ZEDEKIAH’S HARD HEART DESTROYS JERUSALEM
A poem by ILMA
Zedekiah was 21 years old when he became king and reigned 11 years
He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and refused to humble himself
Even when the prophet Jeremiah spoke to him directly from the Lord
He continued to be a hard and stubborn man, refusing to turn to God.
Likewise, all the leaders of the priests and the people became unfaithful
They followed all the pagan practices of the surrounding nations
They desecrated the Temple of the Lord that had been consecrated
God repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them but they didn’t listen.
The people of God mocked these messengers and despised their words
They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could not be restrained
So, the Lord brought the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar against them
The Babylonians killed Judah’s young men, chasing them to the Temple.
Nebuchadnezzar took home to Babylon all the articles used in the Temple
Then his army burned the Temple of God and tore Jerusalem walls down
The few who survived were taken as exiles to Babylon and became servants
So, Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled and the land enjoyed Sabbath rest.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. – 2 Chronicles 36:15-16
Read: 2 Chronicles 36
It is a sad thing to watch God’s people turn their backs on Him after the many times they have been delivered from enemies. Their hardened hearts and stubbornness led God to destroy Jerusalem. Though they were warned, they never listened.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What causes people’s hearts to be hardened?
• Why can we sometimes become deaf to warnings from God’s Spirit?
Category Archives: Poem devotionals
JOSIAH: HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT KING Poem Devotional
May 13
________________________________________
JOSIAH: HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT KING
A poem by ILMA
Despite having an evil father in Amon, you pleased the Lord your God
Though you were only eight years old when you were put in the throne
You never turned away from doing right and stayed humble and pure
During the 8th year of your reign you began to seek your ancestor David’s God.
On your 12th year of reign, you started to purify Judah and Jerusalem
You began destroying all pagan shrines, Asherah poles and carved idols
You ordered the demolishing of Baal’s altar and incense altars broken down
You also demanded to smash the cast images; had bones of the pagan priests burned.
When Hilkiah discovered the original scroll that Moses has written the laws of God’s
You summoned all your advisers and inquired about the words written in the scroll
The prophet Hildah, the wife of Shallum, keeper of the Temple wardrobe was consulted
She talked of God’s anger towards the people for turning to Baal and other pagan idols.
Because you were sorry and humbled yourself to God for the people’s sins
He blessed you with such glorious kingship and the best Passover festivals
No other kings can compare to your Festivals in all of the history of Israel
You were greatly blessed with bringing an end to idolatry that happened.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping his commands, laws and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll. – 2 Chronicles 34:31
Read: 2 Chronicles 34
So far, from all the many readings I have encountered of Israel’s kings, I think Josiah is one of the humblest and obedient kings Israel would have had. He followed King David’s footsteps. Despite the sins of his father and ancestors, the Lord blessed him.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is obedience and humility very important in being victorious and blessed in the life of a Christian?
TEACHINGS ON THE MOUNT Poem Devotional
May 12
________________________________________
TEACHINGS ON THE MOUNT
A poem by ILMA
One day as Jesus saw the crowds gathering, he went up the mount
He sat down and his disciples gathered around him and began to teach
He started saying that the kingdom of heaven is for those who are poor
These poor people are those who also recognize their need for the Lord.
Those who are grieving will be blessed for they will be comforted
Those who are humble will surely receive the whole earth
While those who hunger and thirst for justice will be satisfied
God blesses those who are forgiving, for they will be shown mercy.
The promise for those with pure hearts is that they will see God
Those who work and pursue peace will be called His children
While the ones who are persecuted for doing what is right
They shall rejoice for the kingdom of heaven will surely be theirs.
Have joy when people insult, lie and say evil things because you’re a follower
A great reward awaits you in heaven, for the ancient prophets suffered the same
These were the teachings of Jesus to those who want to enter God’s kingdom
These were encouraging teachings about the promises to those who love Him.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy. – Matthew 5:7
Read: Matthew 5
What a wonderful way of wording the old testament law of Moses. Jesus’ sermon on the mount focused on what not to do but on the promises of what awaits those who love and follow the ways of the Lord.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What was the most encouraging promise for you on this sermon on the mount?
• Why do you think it is important to focus on positive things rather than putting it in a rule or a law?
• What is the greatest among these promises for you as a believer? Why?
UZZIAH’S REIGN Poem Devotional
May 11
________________________________________
UZZIAH’S REIGN
A poem by ILMA
All of Judah crowned Uzziah as king in place of his father
He was sixteen when he became king and reigned 52 years
After his father Amaziah’s death, he restored the town of Elath
He did what was pleasing to the Lord and his mother was Jecoliah.
Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah
The prophet taught him how to fear God
As long as the king sought the Lord’s guidance
King Uzziah was promised success and victory.
Uzziah declared war on the Phillistines
He broke down walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashdod
Then he built new towns in Ashdod and in parts of Philistia
God helped him in his wars against Phillistia and the Meunites.
Uzziah built fortified towns and constructed forts in the wilderness
He dug many water cisterns for he kept great herds of livestock
He was also a man who loved the soil and had many farms and vineyards
He also had an army of well-trained warriors ready to get into battle.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight just as his father Amaziah had done. – 2 Chronicles 26:4
Read: 2 Chronicles 26
We see what the rewards of doing what was pleasing in the Lord in this story of Uzziah. He was able to have victory and did many things for the people of Israel. He was successful in his fortifying towns and taking care of his land and vineyard and livestock.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it important to fear the Lord?
• What were the blessings that Uzziah received for doing what was pleasing to the Lord?
THE RICH MAN Poem Devotional
May 10
________________________________________
THE RICH MAN
A poem by ILMA
A religious leader asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life
The Lord enumerated commandments like not committing adultery
He included the commands not to murder, steal or testify falsely
Jesus also reminded the rich man of the command to honor his parents.
The man said that he has obeyed all these commands since he was young
Then Jesus told him that there is still one thing he hasn’t done
He hasn’t sold his possessions and given the money to the poor
He told him treasures in heaven will await him if he followed.
But when the man heard this, he became very sad, for he was wealthy
Jesus tells us “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich
They will have a harder time to enter the Kingdom of the Lord.
Those who heard what Jesus said asked “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus replied, “What’s impossible for people is possible with God”
He assured those who has given up their loved one for the kingdom
They will all be repaid many times and they will have eternal life.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. – Mark 10:25
Read: Mark 10:17-31
This encounter of Jesus with a rich man as he was on his way to Jerusalem narrates the priorities man puts on riches. He was going to follow all the commands as long as he keeps his wealth intact. Don’t we all conditionally follow God sometimes?
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What was this rich man missing in the lesson that Jesus was teaching him?
• Would you do all you can to have eternal life?
• What compromises do we walk into by holding on to things that gives us pleasure?
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA Poem Devotional
May 9
________________________________________
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA
A poem by ILMA
A certain couple named Ananias and Sapphira sold some property
The man brought part of the money but not all of it to the apostles
With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest and Peter reproved him
Peter asked Ananias why he allowed Satan to fill his heart.
Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit and kept some money for himself
Since the property was his to sell and the money to give away
He didn’t have to lie but when he did, he was lying to God as well
As soon as Ananias heard Peter’s rebuke, he fell on the floor and died.
Everyone who witnessed this was terrified, they carried Ananias and buried him
Three hours later, Sapphira, not knowing what happened, came in
Peter asked her how much they received for the property they sold
And she replied with the same lie that Ananias, her husband gave.
Peter said “How could the two of you test the Spirit of the Lord?”
He said that her husband just died after lying about their gain
Instantly, she fell on the floor as well, like Ananias and died
Great fear gripped all those who heard what have happened.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. – Acts 5:2
Read: Acts 5
A lot of people take lightly the sin of lying. We do not realize how grieved the Holy Spirit is when we lie. It is an insult to God’s all-knowing and all-seeing characteristics. Most people think it is alright to lie. The world even uses euphemisms calling them “white lies.”
A lie is a lie and it is a sin that grieves the Holy Spirit.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think “death” was the punishment for the lies that Ananias and Sapphira purposefully planned to tell Peter?
JEZEBEL’S MANIPULATION AND CONTROL Poem Devotional
May 8
________________________________________
JEZEBEL’S MANIPULATION AND CONTROL
A poem by ILMA
When Jezebel married Ahab, he convinced him to worship her god Baal
Neighboring vineyard owner Naboth refused to sell his own property to Ahab
The king wanted to buy his land to use it as his garden but the man declined
He sulked and didn’t eat for days, so Jezebel stepped up and reminded him of his
She later used her evil schemes by sending a letter with Ahab’s signature on it
The elders and all those informed became convinced that Naboth did evil
She gave instructions to fast and put Naboth in public view and humiliation
She twisted truth and told he cursed God and the king and he was exposed.
As a result of the lie that says Naboth cursed God and King Ahab
He was dragged outside the town and stoned to death
The Lord instructed Elijah to confront Ahab at Naboth’s vineyard
Because you and Jezebel have done this, dogs will lick your blood.
Then Elijah set out to kill all of Baal’s prophets to stop all the evil
When Jezebel heard what he did, she sent a message to Elijah he will be killed
Elijah fled to Sinai, fearful for his life as he knew that he was the remaining prophet
God, however, assured him to go back the same way and anoint Hazael to be king.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Seize all the prophets of Baal. Don’t let a single one escape. So, the people seized them all and Elijah took them down to the Kishon Valley and killed them there. – 1 Kings 18:40
Read: 1 Kings 18,19,21
Jezebel is depicted here as a very controlling, manipulative and wicked person. She killed many prophets of God and ensured that King Ahab will never share his power. How can we watch out for possible entry of Jezebel spirit to come to destroy us?
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why did Elijah kill the prophets of Baal? Is it the same mandate for believers to destroy all their idols?
• How can the Jezebel spirit manifest itself in the body of Christ?
ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE Poem Devotional
May 7
________________________________________
ELIJAH FEARS FOR HIS LIFE
A poem by ILMA
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel how Elijah killed Baal’s prophets
Jezebel threatened Elijah that she would kill him as he killed them
Elijah was so afraid and fled for his life and went to Beersheba
He left his servant Elisha in that small town of Judah.
Then Elijah went on alone into the wilderness travelling all day
He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die
He prayed to the Lord to take his life for he isn’t better than his ancestor
Elijah laid down and slept under the broom tree when an angel came.
The angel instructed the prophet to get up and eat some bread just by his head
Then the prophet did as he was told so he proceeded to Mt. Sinai
The bread and the jar of water sustained him forty days and forty nights
There he spent the night as he reached that quiet place of refuge.
The Lord confronted the prophet what he was doing in that place
He tells the Lord how he ran for his life, as all the prophets were killed
The Lord gave him further instruction to go back and go to Damascus
As he arrived, the prophet was to appoint Hazael to become king of Aram.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba and he left his servant there.
– 1 Kings 19:3
Read: 1 Kings 19
It is interesting to see a very powerful prophet running and being so scared for his life. He heard what Jezebel did to all of God’s prophets, It is interesting how fear played a role in Elijah’ls live?
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How powerful is the Jezebel spirit?
• What made a very powerful prophet get debilitated?
• Why was Jezebel chasing the prophet?
THE CRUCIFIXION Poem Devotional
May 6
________________________________________
THE CRUCIFIXION
A poem by ILMA
Along the way, they came across a man named Simon from Cyrene
He was forced by the soldiers to carry the cross for Jesus
They went out to Golgotha which means “place of the skull”
The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall.
When Jesus tasted the wine with gall, he refused to drink it
After they have nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled
They betted on his clothes by throwing dice while they kept guard
As Jesus was hung there, a singed was fastened above Jesus’ head.
The sign announced the charge against Jesus saying “King of the Jews”
Two criminals were crucified beside him, one on his right and one on the left
People passing by shouted abuse and shaking their heads in mockery
“Look at you now, you said you’ll destroy and rebuild the Temple in 3 days.”
The leading priests, the teachers of religious law and the elders taunted him too
They scoffed “But he can’t save himself! If he comes down, we will believe him
Even the two criminals beside him also joined in the mockery with the people
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land at three o’clock.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
A sing was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” – Matthew 27:37
Read: Matthew 27:32-45
The main focus of a believer’s life is this crucifixion, which symbolized the greatest love of God to mankind, giving us his only begotten Son just so we can be reconciled with him. He paid for the penalty of our sin so he can bridge that gap that was created when we sinned.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Can you think of anything that would be close to the brutality that Jesus bore so we could be reconciled with the Father? Explain.
HEALING OF A MAN BORN BLIND Poem Devotional
May 5
________________________________________
HEALING OF A MAN BORN BLIND
A poem by ILMA
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth
His disciple asked Jesus if the parents’ caused this man’s blindness
Jesus told them that it was to show the power of God through him
He reminded them that while he’s in the world, he will be the light.
Then Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with his saliva
He spread the mud over the man’s eyes and asked him to wash it
He sent him to go to the pool of Siloam which means “sent”
So, the man followed and went, washed and came back seeing.
Those who knew the blind beggar couldn’t believe he was the same man
The beggar kept on saying that he was actually that beggar they knew
When the Pharisees heard what Jesus have done for this blind person
They went to the man’s parents to ask if he was born blind.
The Pharisees kept on telling him not give Jesus the glory but only to God
They kept on convincing that Jesus was a sinner and they knew God more
But the man said how come they don’t know where Jesus came from
If Jesus was not from God, how could he have healed the blind.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it. – John 9:33
Read: John 9
It is amazing how many times God has done a miracle in a person’s life and yet people who have witnessed it do not seem to believe what they have actually seen. They start to analyze, justify and question the validity of it, instead of declaring what had been done and praising the Lord for the miracle.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is unbelief rampant both in believers and unbelievers alike?
• What hinders us from actually being amazed at little or big miracles we have seen?
• What is behind the lack of faith in the human heart?