May 27th

Numbers 36     Isaiah 28     Psalms 80     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)


Psalm 80

Probably written shortly before the exile of the northern kingdom of Israel to Assyria, this psalm is a plea for God’s salvation and restoration. It is uncomfortable and often unpalatable to consider God’s anger and yet it is a feature not only of the Old Testament but also of the new. Consider these words given to the church in Ephesus, “this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Rev 2:4-5). The Lord is concerned that we love him with all of our hearts, minds and strength and that we love our neighbour as ourselves. When we forget our first love we risk coming under God’s judgment.

This psalm recites some of the story of God’s faithfulness – the faithfulness which continues through all generations. God is faithful and he is a God of renewal and restoration. Let’s ask ourselves honestly, have we forsaken our first love? Do the priorities of our time, energy and money point in a direction other than the glory of the Lord? The call of God is to remember his faithfulness, to remember his love and to turn back to him not with the measured and ‘mature’ response of a prudent manager but with the passion and zeal of rediscovering our first and greatest love. The people of the northern kingdom were too late – for us, in the power of the Holy Spirit it is never too late. Lord, fill us with love and passion for you that we may please and glorify you.

(written by a member or staff) 

May 26th

Numbers 35     Isaiah 27     Psalms 79     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Psalm 79 Isaiah 27

Another psalm of lament. ‘Terrible things are happening, Lord!’... and the very real heart-cry ‘How long, O Lord?’ One can sense the psalmist’s desperation, and it seems to come not just from his own misfortune, but from seeing God mocked. This, he feels is far from the way things ought to be. The sentiments could be taken from reading today’s newspapers, from reading of Christians’ persecution in many countries, or in listening to the stories of some with whom we share our church and our city. Yet there really is hope. Isaiah describes how God will gather His people (v12-13) and even in the storms we face, after the last few days’ readings we should know that we can rest in the everlasting arms of love. A very honest and very beautiful description of this trusting relationship is to be heard in this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCh-_ktGvMA - just click the link. If you don’t like the music at least read the telling words,

“Storms will come and storms will go.

I wonder just how many storms it takes until I finally know

You’re here always,

Even when my skies are far from grey (I take this as meaning worse than grey)

I can stay,

Teach me to stay there,

In the place I’ve found where I can hide,

It’s safe inside your arms of love”

Stop at 3’18” if you like but have a listen.

(member of a homegroup)