Daily Scripture:‘As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.’ (Psalm 42 1-2 & 11)Daily Reflection: We can all be excused for feeling a little down sometimes, especially in these days of continual uncertainty - it feels as if we will never have our thirst quenched again. What does the psalmist do in such desperate circumstances? He doesn’t give up. He doesn’t give in to despair. He remembers - he thinks back to those many times when God has been very real to him. When God feels very far away, when things aren’t going right for us, when it seems as if everyone is against us, when we are tempted to despair the psalmist encourages us to think back to the times when we knew without doubt that God was with us, and to know that, if we refuse to be defeated, better times will surely come. Lyn Hayes ALM
Daily Scripture‘Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my prayer.The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart has trusted in him and I am helped;Therefore my heart dances for joy and in my song will I praise him.Save your people and bless your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them for ever.’ (Psalm 28:7-11) Daily Reflection:Like Psalm 23 the other day, this Psalm refers to a shepherd – someone who cares, nurtures, protects, guides. This psalmist also speaks of God hearing his prayers; being his strength and his shield; the knowledge of this causes his heart to dance with joy and to sing praises to God. In these days of lockdown, when we might feel alone; in these days when many are grieving (for loved ones or for normal life), when they might feel alone – there should be reassurance from knowing that God is there. He hears our prayers when we cry out to Him. But we need to take a step towards God; we need to cry out to Him; and then give ourselves space and time to listen. Revd David
Daily Scripture:‘I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good.’ (Matthew 5.44-5)Daily Reflection:How are bitter divisions to be healed? How are warring forces to make peace? How are we to cope with conflict? ‘Love’ says Jesus; be as generous as the Father. Pray for your enemies.Prayer: Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. David Harmsworth
Daily Scripture:‘The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.’ (Psalm 23:1-3)Daily Reflection:Surely these are words of the most well-known of Psalms; some of the best known words of scripture that most people can recite? But do we live our lives by these words? A shepherd cares, protects, nourishes and provides; a shepherd leads and guides the sheep in his care. This shepherd guides his flock along the right path…. leads them the right way, so that they lack absolutely nothing in their lives.Is the Lord your shepherd? He can lead you in a life where you lack nothing. Listen for His voice.Revd David Prayer: O God, our sovereign and shepherd, comfort us with your protecting presence and your angels of goodness and love, that we also may come home and dwell with him in your house for ever. Amen.
