Poem- “Lawgiver and Judge, Only One”

Poem "Lawgiver and Judge, Only One"

    Good Morning, World! As promised here is the poem that came before "Dear Church, Can I get a Witness" What I am about to say might be hard for some to hear so if you feel convicted then maybe this message was intended for you. Even if you don't, I still hope you receive something from it (1John 3:20-NIV)

    The reason this poem came to be is because the day I wrote it I had attended church and there was this sense that flaming arrows were aimed directly at me. Now, it could have very well been that I was feeling convicted as well, but I will say, I have felt conviction before and I was ok with it because I know my father disciplines the one he loves (Proverbs 3:11-12-NIV) If anything, I believe the conviction I have felt in the past was a blessing because it helped me repent and seek my father through his word and prayer.

      So, although my actions look similar, I don't believe it was conviction because it felt more like unwarranted judgement, which is something I am all too aware of even before I started walking with Jesus. So, to be all the way transparent here, I was angry in that moment and didn't want to do what I would normally do with my anger so instead I sought the Lord when I got home and in so doing was led to James 3:20-NIV

       It was then after reading this scripture that I was overtaken by this strong desire to take pen to paper and pour out my anger, frustration, my prayer, my hope, and everything else that was within me to the Lord. I did as the Holy Spirit told me to and I cast all of my anxieties on him (1 Peter 5:7-NIV) even if it was through poetry. 

      Poetry was the gift the Lord gave to me and he wanted me to use it to see something. I didn't realize exactly what he wanted me to see until the end of the poem when I realized just how much the holy spirit was with me, guiding me in this moment of obedience and healing. This poem was one that I look back on and it still resonates with me because I have had several other moments since the creation of this poem where I have felt those same flaming arrows aimed at me. The only difference is that I was able to withstand them because my most awesome God showed me in this poem what it was to wear the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-20-NIV) 

        Reading his word, prayer and writing all helped me in this moment draw closer to God and in so doing he brought a new level of understanding and healing to me. I didn't even realize at the time any of this, but I now see so clearly that our Lord was preparing me and is still teaching me as we speak. 

         So, my prayer is that if anyone is experiencing or has felt unwarranted judgment from anyone, no matter who they may be, that you will remember that there is only one Lawgiver and Judge so you can let the flaming arrows bounce right off of you because you have your armor and nothing can harm you. This is what the Lord wanted to show me and he used the gift he gave me as a way to do it. I will always be forever grateful and beyond blessed. I can never stop thanking him enough for all he does. There aren't enough words to express what I feel but I will spend my life here on earth trying.

      I pray that anyone who reads this poem will learn to pick up his armor as I have done and walk in obedience by using whatever gift God has given you. Ultimately, in the end, your relationship will be all the more stronger and you will truly have an abundant life.  (John 10:10-NIV) 

One final note, I realized that this poem was also connected to the one I wrote before it called "Spiritual Eyes" which I will post next. I know I am posting them in backwards order but for some reason I believe that is how they are supposed to be posted.


Lawgiver and Judge, Only One

Oh Lord, my heart is heavy

I need you to fill my belly

Let my soul be full beyond satiety

Let me have the fire and water in its entirety

Let me feel your presence quench my anxieties

Let me talk with you privately

And reveal what you need me to do quietly

I’m listening my Lord

Hand me your sword

Give me the power that comes from your water poured

I need to hear you more than I ever have before

I’m banging on your door

Because I want and need the courage that lives at the bottom of my core


Lord, I feel everyday I’m under attack

They keep coming for me and trying to throw me off track

So instead of eating all your food I keep reaching for a snack

But oh Father take my burdens and carry them on your back

I am tired of taking on the weight of other people’s perception of me

I am tired of taking on what my family has said I was or who I should be

I’m tired of trying to live my life for others approval

When you have always been my source and fuel

Why Lord, tell me why I can’t let go of some feelings but receive others

Tell me why you make me see it in shapes and colors

Or why I never truly let go of this idea to help my fellow sisters and brothers


Father God, I know for many days/months/years it seemed I lost hope

I was just walking dead trying to cope

But oh my precious Jesus even those days were meant to show me something

You showed me there was more to pull out from getting nothing

You were on your way I just couldn’t see you coming

Because I needed to calm my heart and the beat it was drumming

Wow my glorious powerful God even as I sit and write this your rain has stopped

And pulled the sun from the clouds that were locked

Why do you favor me to see your hand?

When I still clearly don’t feel worthy or understand

I don’t even follow or do all your commands

Most people of this world would say I don’t deserve to enter your land

So why do you keep pulling me through without showing me all you have planned?


I sometimes want to scream, Lord

But instead I reach for you and pick up your sword

That’s the power you have given me today

To know you will always reveal yourself through the words you say

The way I recite and remember your words is uniquely my own

Because you wanted to show me it was only you that answered when I picked up the phone

You wanted me to see every time I picked up your Holy book

That the page it landed on was never overlooked

There was a reason why you revealed those particular words

Even if I didn’t understand the reason or the purpose it served

You show your hand on your own terms

But when you do there is something so divine

That makes me overwhelmed to know that you are mine


Oh my precious child why do you not see the love I have for you

Lord I can’t help it my tears are crying out to hear you anew

My beloved daughter I am here wiping your tears as you cry

I understand you want to understand the why

But in due time you will see my powerful hand at play

Then when I call you, you’ll know what to say

Be patient my child and use all that I am teaching you

You’ll soon understand when I lead your through

You’ll know the path is from me because you’ll feel the tug I always give you on your heart

That makes you feel secure and leads you to stop or start

Every place I lead you there was a reason I took you there

Every movement I give you is thought through with tender love and care

It’s how you make way to shed the old and you walk through prepared


Father, prepare my heart for what part of my past we need to talk through

Is it necessary for me to examine parts of my past that I haven’t reviewed

I admit I’m afraid of the feelings that will rise again

I’m afraid of revisiting those feelings I felt back then

I’m afraid of what will be revealed through your pen

My child you know I won’t let you be tempted beyond what you can bear

Anything I help you see will be done with my air

You are my offspring and my heir

The plans I have for you are to see you prosper not to harm you

So if you’re in the wilderness I will lead you through

You will inhabit the land I promised you

Don’t be afraid. Be strong and courageous

Take rest in my pasture I’ve made it spacious


Take my yoke upon you and learn from me

Here is the key

I am gentle and humble in heart

But you knew this already from the start

You know this is the only way to find rest for your soul

You have to deny yourself and give up control

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light

Not by power not by might

By my spirt,

My child, you know this already too because my presence is deliberate

Just as the words I have you write

This is how you will take back and win the fight

Use what I give you to give others sight


Lord, how do I do that?

When I can’t even see where I’m at

I know you want to question my child but trust and believe

Anything I speak to you, you will achieve

Lord, forgive me for questioning how or why

I sometimes forget to see with my spiritual eyes

It’s ok my child I’ll always forgive you

Because you are repenting as I told you to

Just never stop coming to me with your whole heart

Your praise, worship and connection can always be pulled from your art

I’m in the stillness between the pen and the page

It’s how you hear my spirit move and engage

I know you’re in a spiritual war but with me it will be waged


Oh Jesus precious Jesus I know you have always carried me through

I just sometimes grow weary when I don’t know what to do

But I thank you for helping me stand

Giving me your words to help me understand

Showing me know weapon formed against me can withstand

The power that comes from your great hand

You are my King and my only savior

It’s not something I just say to gain your favor

Beyond my soul is where I can feel it the most

You came and took over by the power of the Holy Ghost

Your spirit is how I survived

Thinking about trying to take my own life but through you I was revived


I thank you, thank you, thank you

Oh Jesus, how do I say that enough

Sometimes I get blinded by this worldly stuff

But please Jesus know that I will always let you realign my walk

Because you are the air that gives me the words to talk

You provide me with such a mighty hug

I’m wrapped up in you because you are the power to my plug

So Lord I ask you to strike the jaws of all my enemies

Make them feel it until they see all of our similarities

We were made by the most highest brush

So why do people feel the need to conquer and crush

We are one body

Your image we do embody


Yet, people choose to cast stones

Forgetting about the one who is enthroned

Who wrote on the ground

And said with a gentle sound

Women where are they, has no one condemned you?

No sir, she said to you

As we all know what is written is true

So, you said neither do I

And told her to go live a life without sin , in that moment her former self died

So, why then do all these people surround me

Forgetting about the words you gave thee

To live a life without judgment when you made them free

Oh Jesus help them repent on their knees


Help me do as you and turn the other cheek

Because it is you I turn to and the one I seek

We were once all sinners but your life set us free

So open their eyes to your decree

Let them feel your strike when they hear me pick up your pen

Let the earth be shaken and roll back the stone again

Let them remember to take the speck out of their eye first

And remember not to make someone stumble to make them feel worst

Because you are almighty and the same way you bless is the same way you curse

Help them Lord to see clearer

Help them not look at their face and forget what they saw in the mirror

Help them walk out all you ask

So they too will be blessed when they come under attack


Lawgiver and judge, there is only one

So let these words travel across the sun

To let all who hear see that your will be done

You are the father that gave your only begotten son

So all can have new life not just one

You came not to condemn the world

But save it through him, take heed of the word


May grace and favor be onto thee

Let all those who have ears to hear take a knee

For all are set free, even me

AMEN!

By: Maria Graves