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) 

Aug 25th

1 Samuel 17     Lamentations 2     Mark 15     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

What more can be written about this chapter of the Bible? This is the very locus of our faith. It is here in the death of Jesus that we see God's solution to sin and the climax of the salvation story which is unfolding. We also see so much of the human condition. We see cruelty; envy and injustice unfold before us with a blameless man at the centre. We see Pilate desperately trying to get out of the position into which he has been placed and at the dignity of Jesus as he endured all that was thrown at him.

Take the time to read through the chapter another time. Pause between sections and consider what is happening. Thank God for the example we see in Christ. He was condemned by those who were unworthy and yet didn't speak against them. He was mocked and yet did not retort. Even the way he died convinced a soldier that he was the son of God.

Thank God for all that he has done in Christ. Take the time to ask God to forgive you and to thank him for the certainty of this forgiveness. Above all, take the time to reflect on Jesus Christ. Ask once more that he would be the very centre of your life and that his death and resurrection would continue to inspire and change you.

(church musician)