Daily Scripture‘For you desire no sacrifice, else I would give it; you take no delight in burnt offerings.The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.’ (Psalm 51:17 & 18)Daily Reflection Psalm 51 is seen to be David’s plea to God for mercy, forgiveness and to be made clean; he was truly sorry for his adultery with Bathsheba and the killing of her husband, Uriah, in order to cover up his adultery. God forgives us when we come to him with a completely open heart, and a desire to change from our sinful ways. Here David speaks two well-known verses of scripture; they mean that God desires a change of heart within us; that we do not please God by outward actions (however good they might be) if our heart is not right.Take away, good Lord, the sin that corrupts us; give us the sorrow that heals and the joy that praises, and restore by grace your own image within us. Amen.Revd David
Daily Scripture:‘In God is my strength and my glory; God is my strong rock; in him is my refuge. Put your trust in him always, my people; pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge. The peoples are but a breath, the whole human race a deceit; on the scales they are altogether lighter than air. Put no trust in oppression; in robbery take no empty pride; though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.’ (Psalm 62.7-10)Daily Reflection: Making ends meet is a vital concern to us as individuals and as a country. But, especially in hard times, concern can become worry, anxiety, or obsession. Faith does not take the problems away, but ‘taking it to the Lord in prayer’ (as the song goes) has power as we open up our troubled hearts to God the Comforter. The psalmist says ‘set not your heart’ on increased wealth. Jesus said “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too”. Money does buy bread and extra choices in life, but not happiness or love. “Do not be anxious”, he also said, “about where tomorrow’s food and clothing will come from – your heavenly father knows what you really need”. What is my heart most set on?David Harmsworth
Daily Scripture:The earth, O Lord, is full of your faithful love; instruct me in your statutes.…..O Lord, teach me your statutes.…..that I may learn your statutes.Let my heart be sound in your statutes…..(Psalm 119:64, 68, 71 & 80)Daily Reflection: Four times in a few verses of this scripture the Psalmist uses the word statutes. He obviously thinks they are important! What is a statute? The definition, in this context, is: a law or decree made by God. The Psalmist will have been referring to what we call the Old Testament scriptures; possibly what we know as the Ten Commandments. Even if we can recite them, there’s huge difference between knowing them and keeping them all the time. So to make things easier for use to understand, Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God; and love your neighbour as yourself.” Go and speak to your neighbour today - or pick up the phone - and just check they are okay. “The earth is full of your love….. Let my heart be sound in your statutes.”Revd David
Daily Scripture:‘O taste and see that the Lord is gracious, blessed is the one who trusts in Him.’ (Psalm 150 v 8)Daily Reflection:Have you ever wondered exactly what the word “blessed” or “blessing” means? Jesus used the word “blessed” to describe the inner quality of those who trust God. This blessedness is a spiritual state of well-being and prosperity – a deep, joy-filled contentment that cannot be shaken by poverty, grief, pandemics, persecution, war, or any other trial or tragedy we face in life. In human terms, your situation may feel very far from “blessed”, but because God is present with us through these difficult times, we are actually blessed by Him, in the middle of our trying situations. Imagine that – having a deep sense of joyous contentment when all seems lost! This is our miracle working God.Vicki Young
