The halfbaked Bard

Darkness is dangerous, uncertain and fearful Blackness none would aggrandize An eclipse is not that anyone prefers to Shadows are often eerie Quietness, absolute stillness Is something shaky and sheepish Silence is often scary Placidity brings a fear of something camouflaged. But it is in the darkest place the light shines the brightest  It starts with a glimmer In quietness His voice is the loudest In the most silent place is His presence most felt As I walk through the valley of shadow of death I experience His rod and His staff more Tenebrosity and tranquility though appear distressing Are actually agents which God uses to communicate louder. Elijah in Kerieth brook David amidst those nameless caves It was the darkest time of exile That the prophets said of a Redeemer It was in the darkest hour on the cross Salvation was presented to us as a free gift Dear one - Are you in the darkest and quietest time? Something most wonderful is awaiting!

Job:6:11 But I don't have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for. I don't have the strength to endure I am utterly helpless But God is my strength He enables me: He equips me. The future looks bleak and foggy Uncertainty and lack of clarity looming around But God is my victory Flag He is my solid rock on which I stand I am a loner; I am alone in this busy world No friend to sit and open up My friend my lover is He And His gift to me still is a wound afresh Nobody understands me; Nobody to listen My voices hit against the wall and come back He is with me - promise eternal I hold fast to this truth I will ever be true I will ever be faithful All i desire is this Though I may fall; He will help.

Job:5:18 For though He wounds He also bandages He strikes but His hands also heal A God who cares as He disciplines. A God who gets hurt as He restraints. I'm reminded of the pain, I have to go through as I discipline my children. How much more the Holy Father & who abhors sin, but unconditionally loves His children. Nothing in your life my dear happens without His foreknowledge. He is your Father who loves. He is not cruel. He is not a hard task master. He is not brutal or savage. But filled with tender loving care. Compassionate.

Doesn't your reverence for God give you confidence? Job:4:6 Eliphaz the Temanite has words of wisdom. He says in the past you have encouraged many who were in trouble. Now when you are in trouble why do you lose heart? Your reverence to God is your confidence. The confidence that God is in control. The confidence that God the Holy One isbthe Almighty One and you have chosen (or rather you have been chosen) to be His child. He is your Abba. Then will He not take care of your all things?

"What foolishness Aristophiles? Why? You just had to obey the orders." "I couldn't Mastus. I couldn't." For Mastus the dinginess in the cold dungeon was already killing him. He was wondering how Aristophiles could survive in this crampiness. That too in chains. He is unable to even walk about. He remembered how his brother was the one who could not sit idly. Wanted to do something or the other at home. Always moving about. What changed him? The water droplets dripping down the damp walls are already taking him on his nerves. The clothes are all wet. The atmosphere is unrest because of humidity. Though it is ice cold, he is sweating. How could his younger brother tolerate this voice (which has become a noise) day in and day out. It has been a dragging twenty eight days. Rats and mouses (and what not) running around. Stale breads nibbled by creatures unknown. The squalor all around makes him want to sneeze. How could Aristophiles still be smiling? ...

Job:2:10 Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? How is a good God able to do anything bad? A very controversial question. It counters the very nature of God, denying His own attribute. Why does He allow sickness, war, famine, murder and riots in the first place? How can you call Him good if you see the everyday newspaper filled with such junk? The Lord who reigns over all the earth had kept mankind as the caretaker as the governor. Humans out of their rebellion pledged their allegiance to the evil one. He is now the prince of the earth and mind you he is the father of lies. His mandate to ruin the beautiful plan of God, to bring in havoc and destruction. To steal to kill and destroy. He has filled in every human's heart with selfishness and self centredness. Now how can you blame God if the world is under satan out of their choice? The Lord will bring to judgement in the right time. You who have put your trust in Him, have moved a...

At one point of time there was financial loss from every side plus there is loss of all of his children. Job is jolted from every side by satan in order to crush him. When one or two are there we tend to hold fast to him. But when multiple problems come together do we tend to loosen our grip. In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. Job1:22 When shaken from every side, Job gathered himself together to worship, to praise. He went to his core. Naked I came, Naked I go. The Lord gave; the Lord took it away. I am nobody to question. The Lord is in control. The Lord knows what I am going through. He will not let anything happen in my life, more than what I can bear. Even if it apparently looks difficult for me right now, I am able to be an overcomer. He will enable. He will comfort. He will strengthen. If you are crushed from every side, you can all the more be sure, that God is in control. That it is a challenge for God. That He is sure that you wouldn't waver. That ...

Job:1:11 But reach out and take away everything he has and he will surely curse you to your face. Is this human nature? Why, satan is so confident that Job would react to a crisis just like any other human being? That is because satan being the prince of the world, that is what he tries to instil in every human's heart. Come crisis there is frustration, there is breaking the back. Man trips over a small stone. The threshold is brought down. This is human nature because this is devil's nature. We are called to come out of this mould. Called to be different. Can the Lord be confident of how productively and positively we would react. Can we wait upon the Lord that He would be able to instil His character upon us. May the Lord enable.

How the Lord is proud of Job? How confident that He boasts of him to His enemy. It is like putting forth a challenge to Satan. So much He is due of Job. What is His confidence in you? How would He talk about your integrity and blameless. How would He boast about you? Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8

Job:1:5 He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them.... This was Job's regular practise  If I don't get up early in the morning and pray for my dear ones, what else is my responsibility? If I do not forsake my sleep or food or likings and desires and be serious about praying for my dears, what else am I to do? When I neglect to pray, I think I am self sufficient. I think I have it under my own control. But when I pray, I am helplessly seeking God's aide. I am sorting out one of my greatest need of mine - dependence, trust and faith in God. I value this relationship much more than anything in this world. That He is my Abba and I am His son and depending on Him regarding everything in my life is the only thing that I can do.

Ps:71:1b We give thanks because you are near. The mountain look humungous. The path looks crooked. The future appears bleak and scary. But you are near. Ps:23:4 Eventhough I walk through the valley of shadow of death. I fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me  Ps:91:4-5 He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings  His faithful promises are your armour and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night Not the arrows that flies in the day.

Esth:9:1-19 Victory is the Lord's. Ultimately victory belongs to the Lord. There is no single issue which He cannot handle. There is no mountain which He cannot move. The fire might be ablaze before it dies down. The enemy might seem to win, but in the end it is the Lord who would prevail. That gives hope; despite evidence to the contrary. That prompts us to trust in the everlasting arms of God. Keep hoping. Keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep striving. For He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. His reign shall last from everlasting to everlasting. From eternity to eternity. He shall be King forever and ever.

In this time of "I am spared by the grace of God", "God has been gracious to me in the midst of all chaos" and "God is no one's debtor" Esther stands out. "For how can I endure to see my people and my family slaughtered and destroyed?" Esth:8:6 There is concern, there is love, there is responsibility, there is restlessness written all over it. So much so she fasted and prayed for divine intervention. Though she was initially skeptical to step up, finally took ownership. Oh! How saddened would God be to hear my prayers. Me, my family, my children, my loved ones. Why do I not intercede for others around me? Why can't I love them as my own. Why am I not concerned? Why no fasting and praying for others? ( It might be not true for you. But today's word is a prick for the bard) Forgive me Father. For God looks for someone who would stand in the gap. Eze:22:30

Ps:74:19 Don't let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves. Are you helplessly trodding around seeing the havoc. Have you felt that the Lord isn't listening to your prayers. Do you feel the Lord has rejected you. Asaph echoes with you in Psalm 74. Lord walk through the awful ruins of the city.  See how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary. We no longer see your miraculous signs. Or else we are all blinded by the trouble that is around. How long O God will you allow our enemies to insult you. Will you let them dishonour your name forever Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Don't let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves Don't forget your suffering people forever Don't let the downtrodden be humiliated again. So arise O God and defend your cause. Work your salvation in us.  A prayer invoking your power, your justice and your faithfulness to your loved ones.

Pride can only look into oneself It fails to see the others around Pride always gives importance to self Pride thinks of glorifying me and mine Pride results in envy Pride brings forth hatred Pride results in all sorts of evil Pride brings forth rebellion In the Garden of Eden it was there In our minds too Led to the downfall of Haman Can lead to your downfall too.

Esth:5:9- 6:3 That same night Haman was plotting to impale Mordecai, Xerxes had sleepless night too. And as the King was exploring the book of history of his reign, God was working in his heart. God was planning salvation that very same night for Mordecai and for the nation Israel. What was intended to be harm, was turned to be a blessing for Mordecai that very same night. As long as God is on your side, there is nothing to worry. The enemy is totally defeated. His head is already crushed. Be of courage Oh! Dear one. The devil's schemes will not work against you. For the Lord has wonderful plans to prosper you.

Psalm 73 is an introspective dialogue by Asaph. There are a lot of unanswered questions in his mind, which he asks now. Regarding the prosperity of the wicked and the proud. How do they survive with the scoffing and cruelty. Yet God is in control. As he goes to the sanctuary he realizes God has placed them on slippery path and send him over the cliff for destruction. But he also realizes, he is no greater than them at all. He too was bitter, he too was torn up inside. Yet God in His gracious loving kindness, holds his right hand, He guides him. In response -  "Whom have I in heaven but you?" "I desire you more than anything on earth." "He is mine forever"

Esth:4:13 Do not think for a moment that because you are in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. Do not think that you will be exempted. Do not think that you will remain safe. Because you are a family baptized directly by the disciple Thomas. Because you have been Christians for the past 100 generations. Not even because of the usual misconception that you have not intentionally done anyone harm. Woe to you; if you think that you will be spared on the judgement day: the second coming of Christ Jesus. The only mandate is Christ in you. Therefore now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1 Unless there is a personal one on one relation with Jesus; there is no escape of the punishment. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Rom3:23 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful to forgive all our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1John:1:9

There is a huge problem. There is a dire emergency. Helpless. Not knowing what to do. Suddenly the tables have been turned against us  What do we do first? Defend our cause. Try to involve all our influences. Suddenly we become activists and leaders and people bringers. We have our own solutions ringing in our minds. All sorts of permutations and combinations. Every single person motivates you to become a David, in the presence of a Goliath. A push to do the impossible in faith. Someone may push you to become a Joseph. To wait for the right time to raise you up. But at these end times, what is needed is to be a Mordecai. Tearing your clothes, putting on burlap and ashes and crying out aloud in bitter wailing. Fasting and praying about the problem. Praying without ceasing. Only when you are helpless you will realize the need for prayer.

Esther:3:12 A decree was written exactly as Haman dictated. Do people dictate terms to you? Do they define the path you should walk? Do people label you that this is the way that you should go? Do you feel helpless? Determined as you are; do you see others defining norms for you? Does devil have the last laugh in your decisions? Determined to stay pure; you fall yet again. No matter however hard others try; God is in control. Nothing happens without His foreknowledge. And He is our Abba. Will He let anything which is harmful for His own children. Against His perfect and beautiful will for us? Let's just trust in Him.

Esth:3:4 All the problems started with Mordecai's decision not to bow down before Haman. Though it was a decree passed by the king himself, Mordecai refused to bow down and show respect to Haman. Why? He would have just bowed down? A simple act. Which now puts in danger, the entire race.  The answer Mordecai gives to the palace officials is that, he is a Jew  Now. What is so special about Jews. There would be other Jews as well, who would have bowed down? But probably the conviction of Mordecai would be something like this....The very identity of a Jew is 'aseret ha-dvarim' or the Ten Commandments.And it is this identity that is being exploited and asked to defy, by this act of bowing down. Whether it is because of the defiance of Haman to God of Israel, being and Agagite; or whether there was an idol in his turban which any Israelite would deny bowing down - the exact reason we do not know. But what we do know is that Mordecai is sure of his identity and he wil...

He was the one who made me suffer; knowingly or unknowingly is not he relevant question. Now justice is served. God has proven yet again that He is on my side. Though I never intended any harm for him. God has proved yet again that He is a just God. Mordecai could have thought about King Xerxes when he heard about the plot against King Xerxes by Bigthana and Teresh. Finally God is formulating another miraculous releasing of His people. No! Though King Xerxes was not on their side to be precise, Mordecai being a loyal citizen was quick to perform his duty . ( Esth:2:21-23) People whom we don't like; or those whom we tend to avoid, how do we react to, when they are in trouble? Where is your love your enemy attitude which Jesus personified. Saddened should we be seeing the heap standards of humanity. In contrast to the Kingly standard of "Forgive them, for they know not what they are doing "

Esther's loyalty to Mordecai, even after being queen to Xerxes' is very commendable. Definitely not an example to young wives to follow. But her love and respect to her father who raised her up, her loyalty and obedience to his concern to protect her identity is creditable. Though she was queen imperial now. Though she could have decided on her own. Though she had the authority, still she submitted to. Though she was supposed to be obeyed; she obeyed. When few things get under our control. When some authority comes out way. Do we continue to submit? There are people still to be obeyed. You have not reached above them. You can never be proud enough to be over them. Be humble. Continue to submit to one another. Continue to yield. Continue to obey. Continue to be loyal. When pride creeps in; when you feel you have become somebody. Your willingness to remain under authority slowly creeps out. Why should I? What is the need for me to? I need not. Because I have placed my...

Esth:2:1 But after Xerxes' anger had subsided,  he began thinking about Vashthi. Anger is the easiest way to ascertain authority. But definitely not the most effective way. It brings regret. It brings a feeling that you have done a mistake. It brings hurts  It never brings in surity of you doing it the right way. It never brings clarity. Anger comes out of pride. It comes out of the thinking that you are right. It never considers the other person more than yourself. Eph:4:26 In your anger do not sin;do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Eccl:7:9 Don't be too angry because anger lives in the fool's heart  Being angry - doesn't have love in it. We are called to love each other. Not to be angry at each other.

Esther 1 Queen Vashthi is deposed from the position of royal Queen. Yes agreed that King Xerxes was in high spirits because of the wine. But what would have gone through the mind of the Queen at that time. It is said that she is beautiful. And it is also said that the king wanted all the nobles and other men to gaze on her beauty.  But the queen refused to do what was told to be done. Because of her pride. Because she thought she would decide for herself. I know I'm trading on dangerous territory now. Submitting to the husband's is what is expected of a Christian wife according to the word. Eph:5:22 addresses specifically to wives to submit to your husbands as to the Lord. Yes! As you would submit to the Lord. Then what about my individuality? What about my identity? Will he not utilize it and nullify me? What about my desires and passions? Many questions would come up.  But it is said so in the word! Husbands are supposed to love their wives too. How? Just as Chri...

Ps 72 A Psalm asking for wisdom.  From the one who is wisest of them all. Because he realised his wisdom Is no where near the source of it all. Only when I realize I am not wise  Can I ask the source to give me wisdom Ask, seek, knock. That is the solution Keep on asking, seeking and knocking. Wisdom to deal with daily living Wisdom to fear the Lord always Wisdom for every walk of life. For world's ways are not the right way.