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1)# ’The Lord has heard.’

Psalm 6:8 (4-10)

Sometimes we’re not sure. We ask for help, but it doesn’t come; an easing of pain, but it only gets worse; any answer - but instead silence. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that the Lord has heard. David’s cry is ‘How long, O Lord, how long?’ He is worn out from groaning and weeping ‘all night long’. His eyes are weak with sorrow; he’s in the darkest valley. Yet he declares twice, ‘The Lord has heard’  and ‘the Lord accepts my prayer.’ So where does his confidence come from?

God’s hearing is not diminished by our circumstances, though our awareness of his response might be. And when God hears, he does respond, often with his presence, rather than words. In the valley of the shadow of darkness, ‘I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff they comfort me’. No words, just his being there because of who he is. Jehovah Rohi, the Lord my shepherd; Jehovah Jireh, the Lord my provider; Jehovah-Ropheca, the Lord who heals; Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there. So you and I can be assured that the Lord who hears is present with us, to guide, to provide, to heal, today.


2)# ’In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin.’

Romans 6:11 (8-14)

In the same way as what? Paul is linking our situation with that of Christ Jesus. His death and resurrection have an impact on all who follow him. In the same way that ‘death no longer has mastery over him (Christ)’, so sin no longer has mastery over us. It sounds simple, but is quite a challenge to live out. Being cleansed and forgiven is one thing, but living out the reality of being ‘dead to sin’ is quite another.

In fact you and I may feel that the more we try, the more the ‘old nature’ kicks back. But this is where we can live according to facts, not feelings. Paul spells out these facts in the surrounding verses and his advice is to defeat the old nature by focussing on the new nature. A new way of living is now available to us and the more we live it out, the more the old nature will die. By attending to the one, we will neglect the other. So let’s make a conscious choice today to live in the reality of our salvation.


3)# ’Listen to advice and accept instruction.’

Proverbs 19:20 (20-23)

Remaining teachable goes hand-in-hand with humility. The more senior our position or greater our qualifications, the harder it can be to listen to advice and accept instruction from other people.  Advice and instruction are more than facts and figures. They relate to how we live, our attitudes, our actions. They are learnt from experience. Someone else has been there before and is now able to teach other people.

The ‘school of life’ is a great leveller and allows us all to give as well as to receive, irrespective of titles or certificates. Listening allows someone else to speak. Accepting allows someone else to give. In the Body of Christ, every part matters and is of equal importance so we can all learn from one another. So let’s be ready to listen and accept, as well as to speak and give. And the reward? ‘In the end you will be wise’.


4)# ’But because of his oaths and his dinner guests.’

Matthew 14:9 (6-12)

In the heat and excitement of the moment, Herod wanted to impress his guests, to show off his wealth and power, and it all went to his head, like the wine. He made a rash promise which he soon came to regret. But, in front of his guests, he chose to sacrifice John the Baptist, rather than sacrifice his reputation.

The passing praise of people and a desire to impress, makes us all vulnerable to say things that we may come to regret. Our obligations to other people must not put us at odds with our obligations to the Lord Jesus. Self-control is a great help at these times and is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit working within us (Gal 5:23). Being ruled by him is better than being ruled by our desire to impress other people. We’ll do well to learn from Herod’s mistake.
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5)# ’Only acknowledge your guilt.’

Jeremiah 3:13 (11-15)

For some of us, this can be the hardest part of receiving forgiveness. Acknowledging guilt is more than words. It’s a realisation deep within us that we have done wrong and it leaves us at the mercy of the one we have wronged. Guilt is followed by judgement. That’s why we shy away from admitting it.

But in the previous phrase, the Lord God has paved the way for forgiveness rather than condemnation. ‘“I am merciful” declares the Lord.’ If he longed to forgive and restore the people of Israel after their habitual rebellion, how much more does he want to forgive and restore you and me? Because Christ has taken our guilt on himself on the cross, we can be forgiven and set free. But admitting our wrong is a necessary part of receiving that forgiveness and freedom. So let’s acknowledge our guilt, confess our sin and receive forgiveness from Jesus, today.


6)# ’She broke the jar.’

Mark 14:3 (3-9)
 
This wasn’t an accident, but a deliberate act. It wasn’t done out of aggression, but out of love. It wasn’t done to get rid of rubbish, but to give the very best. It wasn’t demanded, but offered and in so doing Mary made herself vulnerable. What some saw as a waste, was spoken of as of eternal worth by Jesus.

The value of what Mary did, lay not in the costly perfume, but in her complete devotion to Christ. The breaking and pouring out was not only symbolic of her devotion to Christ, but also of what Jesus would do with his own life for our salvation. It’s also a reminder of what you and I can now do in offering ourselves, including those things most precious to us, as living sacrifices to the Lord. Let’s not hold back, let’s not worry about what others might think or say. Let’s pour out our lives in worship to the Lord Jesus.


7)# ’So I have come down.’

Exodus 3:8 (7-14)

Not for the first time, nor for the last. Here is the Lord Jehovah coming to rescue the enslaved and oppressed. He’d heard their cries and felt their sorrow and was stirred to act. Legions of angels were available, but God himself comes to help. His coming is linked with their plight, and his coming is to make things right, between himself and his people. That’s the plan of God from start to finish.

He came down to Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness and shame in the Garden of Eden. He came down to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He came down in the person of Christ Jesus to save you and me from sin and death. And God’s plan of salvation and redemption will be consummated when Jesus comes again, down to earth. And in the new heaven and earth God comes down to dwell with his people forever. Until then, let’s tell people about our God who is not remote or removed, not distant or disinterested, but One who has ‘come down’ to rescue us.


8)# ’For he already had in mind what he was going to do.’

John 6:6 (5-13)

For Philip, and the other disciples, the problem was that they didn’t know what Jesus had in mind. But Jesus isn’t playing games with them. The ‘test’ was to find out if they could see beyond what they did or didn’t have and instead see what Christ could do with what was available. They discovered that human limitations are no limit to what the Lord can achieve. Whilst the disciples were bothered by what they didn’t have (v7), Christ was looking to use what they did have (v9).

You and I may find ourselves in a similar situation where the challenges we face are beyond our human abilities or resources. Whether it’s work or family, we may feel overwhelmed by what is being asked of us, especially if we are trying to honour the Lord in each situation. Just because our resources are limited, let’s not hold back from offering them to the Lord and then seeing him use them for his glory and for the good of other people. When faced with a challenge, we may not know what to do, but thankfully he does!


9)# ’Do not be wise in your own eyes.’

Proverbs 3:7 (5-10)

It’s all too easy to think we know best. The Bible is littered with people who thought they knew best only to regret the folly of their words or actions. Many of us can gain wisdom ‘in hindsight’, but sadly it comes too late to help with what has already been done. Having the humility to seek advice and learn from other people’s mistakes, is wise - and King Solomon shares some God-given insights here.

Solomon adds to his cautionary words simple, but sound advice. ‘Fear the Lord and shun evil’. The first enables the second. Having a right reverence and fear of God is beneficial for life. In the surrounding verses, these benefits are listed: long life (v2); a good witness (v4); clear guidance (v6); well-being (v8); blessing to share with other people (v10). This does not mean an easy life, as verses 11 and 12 make clear, but it does provide the assurance and peace for life now and beyond the grave, that cannot be found elsewhere. Let’s be wise and heed this advice.


10)# ’Then should not this woman … be set free.’

Luke 13:16 (10-16)

This indignant response of the synagogue ruler to what Jesus had just done, brought this swift riposte from the Lord. The hypocrisy of helping animals to be watered on the Sabbath, but objecting to this woman being healed on this holy day, was evident to all, except the hypocrites themselves. Yet how often you and I are in danger of a similar mistake. Speck and plank come to mind which Jesus spoke about in Luke 6.

To protect what is sacred for us, you and I can become narrow and unrelenting. Instead of letting ‘holiness’ out to make a difference in the world, we shut it up out of fear of contamination. We can make ‘holiness’ become more negative than positive, restrictive more than liberating, what we can’t do instead of what we are now free to do, as a result of what Christ has done for us (Gal 5:1). But ‘the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’ and if we follow the example of Jesus, both on the Sabbath and during the rest of the week, we’ll be looking to set people free, not keeping them bound up.


11)# ’His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD.’

2 Chronicles 17:6 (3-6)

If our heart is devoted to the ways of the Lord, then our actions will be right as well. This was true for King Jehoshaphat for most of his life and, as a result, the Lord blessed him and the people of Judah during his reign.  

For you and me, we may have good intentions, but if our heart is susceptible to other influences, then we are at risk. The Bible tells of many who started well, but let their hearts go after other gods, after other things and they fell into sin. No wonder the armour of God provides us with a breastplate of righteousness to protect our hearts.

The heart is where our deepest desires and longings are found and these can be revealed by our words and actions. Jesus spoke of the link between the desires of our heart and the sort of treasure we invest in (Matt 6:19ff). Paul encourages us to ‘set our hearts on things above, not on earthly things.’ It’s a daily challenge, but one worth taking on - and winning. May our hearts be devoted to the Lord today, tomorrow and always.


12)# ’We are Christ’s ambassadors.’

2 Corinthians 5:20 (16-21)

Ambassadors are chosen to represent their country and its government. This may be through speeches and meetings, or simply to live in a way that reflects well on their home nation. It may include looking after the needs of their fellow nationals living abroad, or sorting out local difficulties. All this requires wisdom and experience and is done with the full authority of their home country.

As ambassadors for Christ, this is also true for you and me. All we say and do should be on Christ’s behalf and our aim is to encourage other people to want to know him for themselves. Our message is of reconciliation between God and mankind. We live in a world that is hostile to Christ, so we have work to do. But unlike any earthly ambassador, our resources are supernatural and available to us all. We don’t need to do any ‘name dropping’, but we do need to be ‘name uplifting’ as we speak and act in a way that brings honour and praise to the Name of Jesus.


13)# ’Unless you go with us.’

Exodus 33:16 (12-17)

Going into the promised land with the presence of an angel instead of the Presence of the Lord was not good enough for Moses. The Israelites needed to sort things out with the Lord Jehovah to ensure that his Presence went with them. A right relationship was more important than simply getting the promised reward as quickly as possible.

Sometimes you and I can become so caught up with achievements - whether in our personal life or in our church life - that our relationship with the Lord Jesus becomes secondary. Being busy or successful in any area of our lives, may impress other people, but it will have an emptiness to it if the Lord is not with us. We can pretend our spiritual life is okay or cover things up so as to reach our goal quickly, but it’s better to make sure that we are walking with Jesus all the way, even if it takes a little longer.


14)# ’I am willing. Be clean!’

Matthew 8:3 (1-4)

Yes! This was the moment that one man’s life was transformed. In his request, this leper shows respect and humility as he prostrates himself before the Lord, and the response from Jesus is immediate and emphatic. But there’s something more for us to recognise here.

Firstly, Jesus doesn’t mind the request being made. The fact that the leper asked, expressed a desire to receive, and Jesus responded to that. Let’s not think that our request is ever too insignificant, or too personal or too anything for the Lord.

Secondly, Jesus is willing. The healing is not given with reluctance or under duress. We don’t have to persuade God to do good. He is all good and longs to share that goodness with us. He is Jehovah Ropheca, the Lord who heals,

Then thirdly, Christ wants us to be clean. Physically, maybe, but his primary concern is for our relationship with him, and with other people, to be whole, and for that, we must be clean within. It’s not his willingness that is in doubt. It’s whether we are willing to humble ourselves and ask for his forgiveness and cleansing from sin and its consequences. So let’s follow the example of this leper and, whatever our situation, seek healing and cleansing from the Lord Jesus today.


15)# ’The spring of living water.

Jeremiah 2:13 (9-13)

There is only one spring of living water. That’s why the Lord speaks of himself as ‘the spring...’ and not ‘a spring...’ Living water can only be found in him. A spring is a natural source of water, or in this case a supernatural source, un-reliant on man. What a contrast to the man-made cisterns that are mentioned; broken and leaking.  

Jesus reiterated this truth in talking of himself in John's gospel chapter 4 as providing a ‘spring of (living) water welling up to eternal life’. One wonders why the Israelites should forsake the Lord their God and go after the gods of the world around them - until we realise how easily we are deceived by the empty promises of the world around us and yearn for things that have no life. Drinking daily from the spring of living water is the only way to keep from thirsting after the mirages of the world. Let’s make sure we give time each day to read and meditate on the Bible and be open to the Holy Spirit through prayer.


16)# ’Out of her poverty, put in everything.’

Mark 12:44 (41-44)

We’re never too poor to have nothing to give. This poor widow had lost her husband and, given her situation, may have had no family to care for her. What she did have were two small coins and an undivided love for God, so she ‘put in everything’. This was more than a tithe. It was a complete sacrificial offering.

Two coins could have been divided fifty/fifty, between herself and God, but she gave them both to the Lord. One hundred percent. It left her with nothing to live on, according to Jesus, but total reliance on God to provide. We’re not told what happened next, because what happened next, is not necessary to what we can learn. Giving to God is not done for what we might get in return, but because of our total devotion to him. And, as Jesus makes clear, total devotion is not marked by just how much we give, but by how much we keep back for ourselves. This widow gave everything and kept nothing back, and leaves us all with a challenge to follow her example. Let’s rise to that challenge today!


17)# ’For forty years you sustained them in the desert.’

Nehemiah 9:21 (16-21)

This is an amazing testimony to the care and provision of the Lord for his people after they came out of Egypt, even when they rebelled against him. We’re told that the Israelites ‘lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen‘ - after forty years!  This time wandering through the desert was used to sort the Israelites out and prepare them for entering the Promised Land.

In Psalm 103, the psalmist states: ‘he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.’ We may well be aware of our failings and may well be in a desert place for whatever reason. But the Lord is faithful to his promises and has not forgotten or abandoned us. He will sustain us and provide for us, especially during the struggles and disciplines of life. His aim is to sanctify us in readiness for Christ’s return and ‘he will do it’ (1 Thess 5:24). So we can trust in the Lord again today and know his help as we live in obedience to his word.


18)# ’So they filled them to the brim.’

John 2:7 (1-10)

I wonder if we would have been so diligent? Jesus had told the servants to fill up the water jars and John deliberately emphasises their obedience - ‘to the brim’. It may have been safer to try half a jar first and see what happened. But no - the servants obey fully and the abundant provision of the Lord Jesus is manifest.

‘Do whatever he tells you’ had been the encouragement from Mary, but using water jars set aside for ceremonial washing, may not have been what she had in mind. Are we ready to do whatever the Lord shows us - even if it’s not what’s expected? The fact that these ordinary and common water jars were used to produce the choicest wine, must not be lost on us either. Like these water jars, ordinary people, like you and me, can be filled ‘to the brim’ with the Holy Spirit, with his gifts and his fruit, which enables us to serve him and be a blessing to other people.


19)# ’Forgive my hidden faults.’

Psalm 19:12 (9-14)

This is not about playing safe, but about being honest. ‘Hidden faults’ speaks of things kept secret and is contrasted with ‘wilful (blatant) sins’ in the next verse. ‘Hidden faults’ may include wrong thoughts, wrong motives or those actions that we manage to hide from other people. The temptation is to ignore them, excuse them, or even to privately indulge our sinful nature. But let’s not deceive ourselves. The Lord knows, even if others don’t, and we need to confess and be cleansed.

But ‘hidden faults’ can also include those things we do as a result of our sinful nature that are done in ignorance. As is often said in regard to breaking the law of the land, ‘ignorance is no excuse’. Wrong-doing is not according to our judgement, but according to God’s word. With this prayer, we ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any wrong that we might otherwise overlook. Not only are we then forgiven, but we learn more about living in a way that is pleasing and honouring to the Lord.


20)# ’Because the wind was against them.’

Mark 6:48 (45-53)

Life’s like that. Sometimes the wind blows with us and we sail along happily. Other times the wind is against us and we struggle. Why? Does it mean we’ve made a mistake or misunderstood God’s will? Well, notice that it was Jesus who ‘made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida’. Did Jesus know they would struggle? Had he deliberately put them in this situation? The reality was that a sudden storm was always a risk on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus used this opportunity to show his disciples more of his divinity and more of his concern for their wellbeing. .

Sometimes we can analyse things too much, especially when the wind is against us. Christians are not immune from the struggles of life anymore than the disciples were kept from the storm at sea. But we do have the Holy Spirit who comes to us in the difficulty to walk with us and see us safely over to the other side. So let’s allow our struggles and challenges to deepen our relationship with Christ, even today.


21)# ’They did not respond to correction.’

Jeremiah 2:30 (26-30)

Correction is meant for good, not harm. It’s more than being told we are wrong. It instructs us as to how we can put things right. But whilst someone else may instruct us, if we are to benefit from correction, then we need to put it into practise. This is something that the Israelites failed to do. In fact they deliberately continued to do wrong and suffered the consequences.

Ignoring correction, in any aspect of life, will have consequences. But so too will accepting correction. Sometimes it comes through a change in our circumstances, sometimes it’s through other people and sometimes it’s through physical or mental struggles. The book of Hebrews speaks of discipline as being painful, but producing ‘a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it’. It also says that ‘the Lord disciplines those he loves’. With this in mind, when correction and discipline from the Lord comes our way, let’s accept it and make the necessary adjustments. It’ll produce a Christ-like character in us, if we do.


22)# ’Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’

Matthew 14:27 (22-33)

These words of encouragement and reassurance have relevance for us today, because of the present situation in the world. The disciples were struggling in the dark with the wind and waves against them. It was tough and when Jesus appeared in the half-light of dawn, walking on the water, they thought, not surprisingly, that he was a ghost! Whilst their sight might have been impaired, their ears weren’t and they could hear this reassuring call and welcomed Jesus into the boat.

There are many storms around us today which affect us all in one way or another. Whether it’s on a personal, national or international level, we may wonder if we will survive. Well, it’s at these times that Christ’s words become relevant. ‘Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’ Keeping our attention on Christ can be hard when things are falling apart all around us, as Peter found out. But Christ has authority over all that is happening today, just as he did in this storm.  As we look to him, he will lift us up when we are sinking and bring peace and calm into our lives, especially in troubled times. And it’s a peace that we can share with other people too.


23)# ’Spread it out before the Lord.’

Isaiah 37:14 (14-17)

Knee-jerk reactions can be dangerous, especially when we are weak and vulnerable. Hezekiah, king of Judah, had been besieged and belittled by Sennacherib for some time and now received a threatening letter that not only dismissed him, but also ridiculed his trust in the Lord God. Instead of lashing out or running away, Hezekiah brings the letter, and the whole situation, to ‘spread it out before the Lord’.

How this describes what we must do in similar situations. When faced with challenges beyond our control, let’s lay things out before the Lord. Let’s not think we’re being silly or that we should sort it out ourselves. Don’t just put on a brave face or give in to circumstances. Spread things out before the Lord. He knows what is going on anyway, but it needs us to ask for his help. When we do, we’ll find that the Lord will intervene and provide deliverance, just like he did for Hezekiah and the people of Judah.



24)# ’Mary has chosen what is better.’

Luke 10:42 (38-42)

We all face choices every day and decisions have to be made. Choosing what is better is not always easy, especially when other people are involved. Mary’s choice did not please everyone - especially her sister! But it was a question of priorities; the best use of time. Jesus was no ordinary visitor and time with him was limited, so for Mary, the choice was not so difficult.

Most of us feel the pressure of time, whether at work or with friends and family, and fitting everything in as well as keeping people happy, can be a challenge. Like Mary, a priority must be our relationship with the Lord and as that develops, the Holy Spirit will help us to make the most of the time we have with other people or doing other things. Then, whether it’s just a cup of tea, or a three-course meal, time spent with other people will be time well spent as our love for Jesus rubs off on them.


25)# ’They had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.’

1 Chronicles 29:9 (6-9)

‘They’ were the leaders of the Israelite community. They set an example for others to follow. They were the first to put their hands in their pockets and didn’t hold back. Some gave money, others gave valuable personal items, but it wasn’t so much the amount that counted, but rather the attitude. They gave ‘freely and wholeheartedly’. As far as the Lord is concerned, this is the most important part of giving.

Whether it’s our time, money or skills, the Lord is looking for us to give ‘freely and wholeheartedly’. He can sort out what our giving achieves, just like he did with the five loaves and two fish (Jn 6), but it’s up to us to have the right attitude. Writing to the Corinthian church, Paul encouraged giving with much joy (2 Cor 9:7).  And one more thing: they were giving ‘to the Lord’. This makes giving so much easier, especially in the light of all that the Lord has given to us.


26)# ’Jesus ... gave them authority.’

Matthew 10:1 (1-10)

Being given authority doesn’t give us the right to do as we please. Authority comes with responsibility to carry out the very work of the one whose authority we have, so we need to make sure we use it correctly. But having authority does enable us to do things we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do!

Christ gave his disciples and his Church his authority to enable and empower us to build his Kingdom and to make disciples. It’s given and received as a gift to achieve the purposes of God, not for our own glory. Christ’s authority is about demonstrating the Kingdom of God here on earth. A Kingdom that sets people free from sin and death; that restores and repairs the hurting and damaged; that brings light and dispels the darkness. It’s what this world needs, and it’s what we have. So let’s use Christ’s authority to manifest Kingdom living in the world today.


27)# ’Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink.’

2 Kings 6:22 (18-23)

This is a wonderful example of why we should ‘love our enemies’. It concludes an exciting series of events when the Lord miraculously delivered the Arameans into the hand of the Israelites, via Elisha. The King of Israel wanted to kill them, but Elisha proposes an alternative way of dealing with their enemies. Killing the captives would only escalate hostilities. Blessing them with food and water and returning them to their families would bring peace (v23).
 
You and I may not be in a physical fight, but, as disciples of Christ, we will encounter opposition. Doing good in the face of hostility can be a big challenge, especially if it’s rejected. But out of obedience to Christ, we must at least try, in order to bring about peace. Irrespective of other people’s response, we will have done right and it may just provoke them to change their ways. This is the same advice that  Paul gave to the Roman church, ’If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Rom 12:20-21)


28)# We’ve worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.

Luke 5:5 (1-11)

This can be soul destroying, especially for fishermen. Peter & Co relied on catching fish for their living, so this was no hobby. To spend a whole night and catch nothing - not even the proverbial sardine, was dire. So Peter & Co were probably not in the best of moods. Then Jesus comes along and everything changes. Peter’s empty boat becomes a pulpit; empty nets are filled to bursting and fishermen become fishers-of-men.

Putting in the effort is no guarantee of success. Having everything in place doesn’t mean things will go smoothly. This can be as true for you and me as it was for Peter & Co. But as these fishermen found out, when we let Jesus take control and when we act in obedience to his word, then what might appear to be a waste of time, or somewhat futile, can have purpose and be of use.

You and I will have the equivalent of an empty boat and empty nets - despite our best efforts. We may even sometimes despair of life itself. But if we humbly accept the help offered by Jesus, then we can experience the different he makes. As with Peter & Co, those things that had been so important were superseded by the call of Jesus to follow and serve him. May the same be true for you and me today, tomorrow and for the rest of our lives.


29)# ’Deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.’

Psalm 33:19 (12-19)

The psalmist is comparing the vanity of trusting in human effort with the blessing of trusting in the loving kindness of the Lord. He speaks of the Lord’s care for his people even in the face of extreme hardship. For us, famine can describe more than just a shortage of food. It can include the lack of employment, a shortage of money, the effects of physical and mental sickness. It can describe the despair and low self-esteem we feel from a broken relationship or from failure to achieve, and we can even feel like we’re withering up inside.

As Christians we are not immune from the struggles of life. In fact the struggles can increase as we seek to walk in obedience to the Lord. But we can have this reassurance that the Lord will help us through times of suffering and hardship. It can be easy to talk about Christ’s ’unfailing love’ when things are going well, but much harder to keep our hope in him when we are in a famine of one sort or another. But it’s then that we know the Lord to be our help and our shield (v20).


30)# ’This is the way; walk in it.’

Isaiah 30:21 (19-22)

Time and again, God’s people, the Israelites, had wandered off to the left and to the right, following other gods, mixing it with other nations. Yet even whilst they suffered the consequences for their sin, the Lord was gracious in raising up prophets to call them back to live in fellowship with him. It was a clear and loud call. ‘This is the way.’ For the sake of his Name and his covenant with Abraham, God’s love and grace restored all who would recognise their plight and cry out to him for help and deliverance.

Here in the UK, our pluralistic society has gone after other gods, despite our Christian heritage. Moral values have been eroded and even within the Church we tolerate unholy things. God’s call for holy living hasn’t changed, despite many wishing it had, and he has given us clear guidance in his Word. When we’re told the right way to walk, any other way is disobedient and wrong. God’s call to walk in his ways is first to his Church and then through his Church to the world. As the Church of Jesus, let’s set an example for others to follow. And thankfully God’s grace and kindness restores all who come to him for help and forgiveness.