UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE

                                            The Effigy 

                             An Original Illustrated Prayer Poem

 

The Effigy~ An Original Illustrated Prayer Poem

 

The Lord had given me this prayer poem several months ago as I was doing a bible study-devotional meditation on Genesis 3 ~the story about Cain and Abel, and studying more about our Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to atone for our sins.

 

 I was also reading a novel where the town had come out in a mob to burn in effigy the figure of an unpopular political candidate during my Bible study; in the story the author meant for the character to be a Christ metaphor. The parallel struck me that Jesus Christ is God’s effigy.

 

I had hoped to publish my prayerpoem last March but became so ill with such a flare up of migraines and allergies that it was impossible to be online or do any of the digital art that I had previously so loved.

 

The Lord led me to pursue creating art in traditional formats again which has now proved very efficacious toward my healing.

He led me to illustrate “The Effigy” in a mixed media traditional Art format; it is a three dimensional painting, including cut paper, many complex layers, metallic markers, various kinds of inks, paints, colored pencils, I can’t remember all the added media! Oh yes! Glue! Mark laughs at all the glue I use.

 

I give thanks to our wonderful, awesome Creator for saving my soul to worship Him with the gifts He has invested in me to glorify Him, to proclaim His gospel, to tell of His greatness, to sing of His mercy, to tell of His reality, so many things our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does!

“I will shout to the Lord in triumph,” sang the psalmist joyfully.

 

“ By this I know that Thou favourest me,

Because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

 And as for me, Thou upholdest me in mine integrity,

And settest me before Thy  face for ever.“

Psalm 41:5, 11-12 KJV

 

But who is my enemy?

These migraines that ever come to pull me down  and say,

“you will never finish this or that for the Lord…”

 

They are like big Goliaths who knock me to the floor and send me to the lonely bedroom, imprisoning me in darkness, unable to see straight or think properly or do anything.

 

But Jesus comes eventually as I pray and seek His face continually in my exile, patiently waiting on Him, trusting by faith that He will deliver me out of the pit.

He will not leave me in that place of sickness  for I believe He will keep every promise forever.

Christ is a Holy Gentleman who never lies.

 ”in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;“ Titus 1:2 KJV

 

Sure enough, Jesus comes, He says, Rise up, Take up thy bed and walk!

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is no respecter of persons, His word assures us that God does not show favoritism. If the Lord can heal me, deliver me from oppression, debilitating migraines and allergies etc, He can do this for everyone who calls on His name for help.

 

 But we must be willing to trust Him and wait with patience.

 

Sometimes He does not come the instant we want Him to heal us for He might want us to rest which is something some of us may not like to do. We are often like little ones whose mama, when she puts her baby down to nap, they set up a fierce little tantrum and whine and cry to be let out to go back to play with their blocks or whatever toy they were amusing themselves with before naptime. But mama always knows that babies must rest or get ill and cranky. And so Jesus knows this is true with His own babies. But very often we dislike and resent this treatment, feel it is unfair as we look around us at all the other saints who are not being put to bed and are out playing as healthy as you please and we can get a bitter root. Our kind and good Shepherd comforts us and reminds us that whom the Lord loves He disciplines. And it is to make us holy. (*see Hebrews 12)

 

But God has not singled us out for this special tough love, we must not get upset…but rather the apostles tell us to praise Him for our trials for they produce patience. For all God’s children will have them!

”…for there is no respect of persons with God.“

Romans 2:11 KJV

 

Praise The Lord for His blessings rather!

Praise the Lord for all that He has done for us, and for the blessings He will always give. In Jesus’ name.

 

”Bless the LORD, O my soul:

 And all that is within me,

bless his holy name.

 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

Who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

 Who crowneth thee

with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.“

Psalm 103:1-5 KJV

 

”Praise the Lord, because He is good!

His faithful love will last forever!

Everyone the Lord has saved

should repeat that word of thanks.

Praise Him,

all who have been rescued from the enemy.“

Psalms 107:1-2 ERV

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for rescuing me from the enemy of sickness, despair, and hopelessness. Thank You for doing all Thy good works in and through me by Your Son who redeemed me through His spotless blood sacrifice on the cross. May Your name be glorified throughout the earth to spread Thy love, faith, and hope abroad and bring every soul who desires to know Thee close to Thy heart to know You and feel Thy love and reality and be made one with You through the blood of Christ as they invite Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior,  in Jesus’ holy name, amen. I love You, Lord!

 _____________________________________________

 

Unto The Least of These, Copyright © 2024, The Effigy, Illustrated Prayer Poem by Suzanne Davis Harden, Through the Indwelling Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Inspired by His Holy Spirit, To The Glory of God the Father, In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen. 

Copyright © 2024, by Suzanne Davis Harden, All Rights Reserved.