Apr 27th

Numbers 4     Song of Solomon 2     Psalms 38     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

 

If our previous Psalm (37) was about trust, then this one (38) is an example of the sharp end of trust. When it comes to the crunch and all is against us, how to we respond? In some ways, it is when times are tough that we discover where our faith lies and how strong it is.

Here in verses 21-22 of Psalm 38 David declares: “O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Saviour”

Perhaps you are old enough to remember a television program called “The A-Team”? At the start of each episode we were told: “If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team!”

The incredible, predictable and ultimately rather boring thing about the A-Team was that they always beat the bad guys – invariably through the use of incongruously non-lethal violence and improvised weapons made of duct tape and whatever was close to hand.

Like the A-Team, God can tackle any problem we have. But unlike the A-Team there is no doubt that God can be found: no question of ‘if’ or ‘maybe’ we can find Him. We can be sure that will never forsake us and never be far away. Like the A-Team, God always succeeds, but unlike the A-Team His methods are never predictable.

Oh, and another thing: unlike the A-Team, God is real!

(homegroup leader)

Apr 26th

Numbers 3     Song of Solomon 1     Psalms 37     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

The Bible is not just a book about God – it is also about His people and their relationship with Him. One thing that makes the Bible so useful and relevant is that the people in it are real people, dealing with real problems and experiencing the same temptations, emotions, pleasures, pains, hopes and fears as ourselves. The book of Psalms teaches us about the relationship between people and God by allowing us to eavesdrop on their praise, petitions and (in some cases) ranting to (or at) God. The beauty of the language of the Psalms makes them attractive, but it is the frankness and honesty of the words that makes them so compelling. Every one of the Psalms oozes sincerity – we are reading the words that the psalmist wants to say to God – and not necessarily the words that he thinks God wants to hear.

If the Psalms expose us to real feelings of real people about their relationship with God, then the Song of Songs deals with the relationship between men and women with equal candour. The psalmist is not restrained in the language he uses, and neither is Solomon in the Song of Songs. We may find the Song of Songs a little shocking or surprising in places (and if that is the case, the problem lies not with the Bible but with today’s cultural attitudes towards love and sex) but it shows a straightforward honest and candid approach to our relationship with God. 

(homegroup leader)

Apr 25th

Numbers 2     Ecclesiastes 12     Psalms 36     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Chapter 12 of Ecclesiastes encourages us to consider the frailty and short span of our earthly life in the context of our relationship with God. Like much of Ecclesiastes the message is presented in beautiful, drawn-out lyrical language. Then, finally, we come to the last two verses of the chapter (and, indeed, the whole book). What a contrast! A wham-bam, straight down the line, short, pithy and straightforward message: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (v13). There are times when we need the brutal simplicity of verses such as this to show us what really, really matters without leaving us space for wriggling or evasion. Jesus knew this when he responded to the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22, telling him to “obey the commandments”.  The young man tries to wriggle but Jesus eventually responds with just three words: “Come, follow me” (Matt 19:21).

Paul wrote to the Hebrews: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb 4:12).

Verses such as “Fear God and keep his commandments” or “Come, follow me” show the word of God at its very sharpest, forcing us to confront the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

(homegroup leader)

Apr 24th

Numbers 1     Ecclesiastes 11     Psalms 35     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

 

Whist the book of Numbers is not just about numbers, it does start with a lot of numbers: a census of the Israelite community conducted by Moses and Aaron according to specific instructions from God.

At first reading it may be difficult to be inspired by the lists of names and figures that make up the bulk of this chapter; however, all this data collection was an important part of God’s plan – everything He asks has a purpose and we, like Moses, should be ready to obey – even if that purpose may seem unclear. God specifically asks (v3) for Moses and Aaron to count the number of men suitable for military service. There is a struggle ahead and the Israelites must be prepared to fight those forces that will threaten them on their way to the Promised Land. Taking stock of the military assets at their command is an important first step.

Like the Israelites we face a struggle. Ours is not against flesh and blood (Ephes. 6:12) but “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Like the Israelites we can prepare ourselves by ensuring that we recognise just who is on our side. We may not have six hundred thousand, five hundred and fifty Israelite men of military age in our corner (v46), but we do have One Father, One Son and One Holy Spirit who will respond to our call.  A regular roll-call is a good way of reminding ourselves of this.

(homegroup leader)

Apr 23rd

Leviticus 27     Ecclesiastes 10     Psalms 34     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Psalm 34 is wonderfully comforting and encouraging.

“I sought the Lord and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (v4). If we are fearful we should pray to God.

“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those crushed in spirit” (v18). No matter how bad things are, no matter how dispirited we feel, God is always close by

Verse 7 (The angel of the Lord is encamped around us) provides a comforting image of God’s complete protection when we find ourselves surrounded by troubles and threats. It does not matter what direction the threat may come from for the Lord’s protection surrounds us completely.

Verse 19 tells us that a righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from then all. Not  just some troubles, but all.

The language throughout is absolute: we will be delivered of all our fears (not merely some) (v4 &7). Those who fear him will lack nothing (not merely have most of what they need. v9). The angel of the Lord is encamped all around us - not just here or there. The psalmist makes it clear that our God is not a wishy-washy God, but one who has the power and the will to deal fully with anything and everything.

The final verse (22) caps it all: “The Lord redeems his servants; no-one will be condemned who takes refuge in him”. God does not merely protect and comfort us but redeems us from all sin and releases us from all condemnation though the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The ultimate fear dispelled by the supreme comforter.

(homegroup leader)

Apr 22nd

Leviticus 26     Ecclesiastes 9     Psalms 33     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

In Ecclesiastes 9 Solomon describes the nature of earthly life: of “evil in everything under the sun” (v3), of the certainty about our common destiny of earthly death (v1) and uncertainty about when that time will come (v12). Life on earth is tainted with evil, bounded by the limits of mortality and subject to capricious misfortune.

Leviticus 26 reminds us that we can choose how to respond to life in this less-than-perfect world. We can choose obedience to God (v1-13), or disobedience (v14-39). While the consequences of disobedience make for uncomfortable reading, we are also told of the blessings that stem from repentance (v40-46).

Psalm 33 shows us that despite the difficulties of the world described by Solomon, we can put our trust in a God who is right, true, faithful and loving (v4-6). A God who created the universe in all its vastness (v6) and also cares about each one of us (v14) individually. A God who holds out hope, unfailing love and ultimate salvation.

We may be deep in the Old Testament, but running through each of today’s readings is a pre-echo of the gospels: the nature of sin, the imperative of repentance and the outrageously wonderful offer of salvation though the unfailing love of God: Creator of the universe yet Father to each one of us.

(homegroup leader)

Apr 21st

Leviticus 25     Ecclesiastes 8     Psalms 32     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

This chapter gives guidelines on good husbandry of land [letting it lie fallow every 7 years] and has proved its truth down the centuries, right up to modern farming and good gardening!   

The year of jubilee [particularly something we can identify with this year if in a rather different context] was God’s plan to cancel all debts, free all slaves and return land to its original owners.   There is nothing in the bible, however, to indicate that the Israelites actually obeyed this command. It was one way God designed to alleviate poverty, and  the chapter goes on to emphasise His care for the poor and needy, and our responsibility  for them.    If we are overwhelmed by the world’s needs, it’s good to remember that even though we can’t change the world for everybody, we can change the world for somebody.   And as in chapter 19, there’s the reminder that the land and its riches are God’s – not ours. We are merely tenants. How encouraging it is to know that what we have is on loan from God, and our responsibility is to hold it lightly, share it generously and if at all possible leave it in a better state for us having been there!

(member of congregation)