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
Daily Scripture‘They shall be satisfied with the abundance of your house; they shall drink from the river of your delights.’ (Psalm 36 v 8) Daily Reflection:It’s a lovely word – “abundance” isn’t it? It’s not just enough, satisfactory, it’s overflowing.. no limits.. never-ending! “They” in this passage is “us”, each and every person. Try putting your name into the words above, instead of the word “they”. This is the promise God makes to those who are willing to put “self” aside and put their trust in Him. Jesus says in John 10 verse 10 “I have come to give you life, and life in abundance”. God is a God of abundance – ask anyone who knows Him, and they will tell you about God’s overflowing, never-ending blessings, readily available, right now. Peace in the middle of confusion, hope in the middle of uncertainty, and joy in the middle of anxiety…God’s “river of delights”.Vicki Young
Daily Scripture:‘Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.’ (Proverbs 3:13-18) Daily Reflection: Wisdom is such an outmoded word, so old fashioned, and yet so precious. It is so much more than knowledge; it is like a distilled nectar compared to mere information or factual competence. To be wise is to have laid hold of that which is truly important, to have grasped what is essential for our lives, and to have sifted reality and found that which is really worth keeping. And this means leaving many lesser things behind. This is why "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace". The truly wise person is not fighting others, at least not in a spirit of anger and hatefulness. If some things need challenging, like injustice or discrimination, the wise will work in a spirit of peace and reconciliation.Ylva Blid-Mackenzie
Daily Scripture‘One generation praises your works to another;they tell of your mighty acts.They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty—and I will meditate on your works.They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds’. (Psalm 145.4-6)Daily ReflectionThe Psalms are often sung or recited antiphonally, with two voices or choirs taking alternate verses. This great psalm is a wonderful example of this form of ‘call and response’, where King David’s overflowing praise joins with that of those who have gone before and those who will follow. Across the generations they are bound together in joyful celebration of the nature of God, the mighty creator, and their experience of him at work in their own lives.How much we owe to those who have shared with us their wisdom, their values, their faith. Old and young, we learn from each other, giving and receiving, in a glorious intergenerational antiphony of praise.‘Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the LordTo children’s children and for evermore!’Revd Rosemary
