Aug 26th

1 Samuel 18     Lamentations 3     Mark 16     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Be aware of strong emotions
Some human emotions such as jealously are so strong and powerful. These 3 passages show us their power and impact; they can turn us towards God or away from God.
In 1 Samuel 18 King Saul is jealous of David who has just miraculously slain Goliath. He sees David as a younger rival and is also annoyed as his own son Jonathan and daughter Michal welcome David. Jonathan was not jealous, although Saul’s son and heir, he recognised that the Spirit of the Lord was with David and that David would eventually replace his father (signified by passing on of royal clothes and arms). Saul’s jealousy is so strong he throws a spear, not once but twice at David.
In Mark 16:8 we read the women were trembling and bewildered, overcome by deep emotion. The disciples simply don’t believe Mary’s account, v 11, were they jealous that a mere woman, and ex demon possessed one at that, had seen Jesus appear first?
In Lamentations the narrator as an eyewitness describes the results of Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BC. This lament shows how much he and all of Jerusalem suffered, again strong emotions. So what should we do when aroused by strong emotions?

Lam 3:21-23 is a key passage.


21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

This is the basis for that great hymn, Great is your faithfulness.
Why not sing it out loud now or when next in the grip of a powerful emotion?

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

 Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!


(member of the PCC)