Daily Scripture‘Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me, for you are my rock and my stronghold; guide me, and lead me for your name’s sake. Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.’ (Psalm 31:3 & 5)Daily Reflection The Psalmist calls out to God to be his rock, his fortress, his stronghold; the firm foundation on which he can stand and depend in the face of everything life throws at him. “Into your hands I commend my spirit”; shows complete trust in God. Jesus used the same words as he was dying on the cross – showing his absolute dependence on his Father. The first Christian martyr, Stephen, said these words too; confident he was simply passing from God’s earthly care to God’s eternal care. The Psalmist, Jesus, and Stephen all had total trust in God the Father. Can we make that commitment: “Into your hands I commend my spirit”? I pray we too have the faith and courage to say and mean those words today.Revd David
Here is the link to last Sunday's 10 o'clock benefice Communion service at St. George's for those unable to be there. It was lovely to have both the organist and the choir back in Church (no singing by the congregation allowed however):https://youtu.be/NK0YO7SpW3E
Daily Scripture:The God who made the world and everything in it… is not far from each one of us. For “In him we live and move and have our being”. (Acts 17.24,28)Daily Reflection:As we struggle to find our way to live, humans have developed widely varied coping mechanisms. Many in the west have given up on God, or at least on religion. Worldwide, religions exercise enormous influence for better and for worse. St Paul in ancient Athens was challenged to explain his new religion to people who no longer accepted the old myths about the Greek gods, but still sacrificed at their altars and honoured their statues. His response was sympathetic, quoting the insight of their own wise thinkers saying the divine - God - is one, not many, and not distant but present. Then he went on to speak of the man - Jesus - who was and is the living image of the God we are all looking for. God with us. David Harmsworth
Daily ScriptureI sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.This poor soul cried, and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles. (Psalm 34:4&6)Daily Reflection Here we are entering another period of more restrictions; the effect and the uncertainty caused by Coronavirus continues. The implications to our normal lives and the things we all naturally want to do as social people are huge. It would be very easy to feel despondent. If you feel like that, then use the words of the Psalmist today: Seek the Lord; Cry out to God…… Let Him hear how you really feel!A few verses later he says: “The Lord is gracious; you will be blessed if you trust in Him.” Try it.Send your holy angels to watch over us, O God, that on our lips will be found your truth and in our hearts your love; so we may ever taste your goodness in the land of the living; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Revd David
