Monday, January 9, 2012

SONNETS – HOUSES AND CAPTIVES


Time with Jesus - Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Just to be different I’ve compiled two “Jimmets” (Sonnets with the same rhyming style as Shakespeare) Two aspects are dealt with as per the Scriptures for today. The first is all about building a house for God. This is where we have a paradox. Heaven is too small to contain God. Yet we are told He has chosen to live within the “heart” of a Christian. I suppose it’s a bit like pouring the Atlantic Ocean into a teacup. But we are told that with God all things are possible. Whether he makes the ocean smaller, or the cup bigger or both, remains open for discussion.
The second one is all about Jesus ascending and leading captives in His train. This is a quotation from Psalm 68:18. But in the KJV we are told that He took captivity captive. Now far be it from me to quibble with Scholars concerning which translation is correct. However I had a look at John Gill’s commentary and he suggests an alternative understanding which rather appeals to me.
We know that in days of old the victors would lead the way into their city with the leaders of the losing nation or city in chains. Very often these captives were then executed. But what if it was the jailhouse in which they were confined that was led captive. Then captivity would indeed be held captive. So for fun, I’ve suggested that what Jesus led captive was the prison in which the Old Testament Saints were confined. That would be a wonderful example of Jesus taking captivity captive. No longer would it then be possible for Satan to keep the Old Testament Saints locked up!
Have a look at what I’ve written in today’s meditation. See if you don’t like the idea as much as I do.
The verse and rhyme content from previous days can be seen on my blog – http: //jimnphyllida.blogspot.com
Please forward my poetry to others you think would enjoy it. All I ask is that it is not used for commercial purposes
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Sonnets – Houses and Captives


      A House for God
Where do you think the Father aught to live?
In some gigantic, ornate house of brick?
What sort of honour should His servants give?
Should absolute obedience do the trick?
We have such strange ideas concerning God.
We think his home should be a bit like ours.
But such an understanding seems quite odd
That He Who made the all creatures, trees and flowers
Should want a habitation, we can see.
How can eternity be fastened down
In something like the gross monstrosity,
That we can find erected in a town
There’s no container that the human mind
Can fabricate, where God could be confined
         -oOo-
Jim Strickland - Written 10th January 2012

Captivity Held Captive
When Jesus Christ ascended up on high,
We’re told that He took captives in His train.
But when we care to look up to the sky,
The question of “Who were they?” Still remains.
Who were these captives and what did they do?
Were these some demons to put on display?
If that’s the case we need to ask just who,
They were and where they are today?
But what if these were places that contained
The spirits of the men of God of old.
The ones who by the devil were constrained,
But now are free to join the Master’s fold?
A place like this where once captivity
Held captives, which the Lord has now set free
          -oOo-
Jim Strickland - Written 10th January 2012


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