Christian freedom and humility

The freedom of healing Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:3   Read Luke 14:1—6 It’s a bit rich that Jesus had to justify his actions when he healed a man. Any kind of healing barely needs justification. And why not on the Sabbath? The Sabbath was a day of…

The strong consolation

The deeds of the saints Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love and praise. Charles Wesley.   Read Revelation 19:6—10 Of the rich pictures in this reading one in particular addresses me. I see a bride clothed. I think she would be the church, so I see myself somehow in this…

The strong consolation

Like a bride You are altogether beautiful, my love; There is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7   Read Isaiah 49:14—21 If I survey my life, end to end, as long as I have lived to date, I will surely find some times when I have been forlorn. When I have felt forgotten.…

The strong consolation

An intensely moral tale The wicked are not so, But are like chaff that the wind drives away. Psalm 1:4   Read Mark 6: 17—25 It’s such a salutary moral tale. If I ever need to be steeled in integrity this should come to mind. The supposedly powerful Herod, who has listened to John, who…

The strong consolation

Be patient I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1   Read James 5:7—11 I admit — I can name them — there are things in my life I would never want to change, yet I can’t keep them. Youth would be one thing. I can’t stop…

The strong consolation

When I must endure Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in his ways. Psalm 128:1   Read James 1:2—8 I have not asked for everything I have had to endure in my life. Plenty that I have had to face I could quite happily be freed from. That is, as my life…

The strong consolation

When I grieve For a comforter is far from me, One to revive my courage. Lamentations 1:16   Read 2 Samuel 12:19—23 I know that my grief is all my own. When I am in grief those of my world around me seem in another place. They live their lives by another clock. They respond…

The strong consolation

His eye is on the widow Let them praise the name of the Lord, For he commanded and they were created. Psalm 148:5   Read Luke 7:11—16 Of course the focus of the story has to be on Jesus, the Lord and giver of life. But I cannot help seeing it all through the eyes…

Trust in God’s care

Unseen yet Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, And my covenant with him will stand firm. Psalm 89:28   Read Revelation 22:1—5 Living by faith, the very heart and centre, the motive power of my daily life — what I actually live for — I do not see. Not only that, so…

Trust in God’s care

Good work And prosper for us the work of our hands — O prosper the work of our hands! Psalm 90:17   Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6—12 I wonder whether Paul was one of those souls who were raised to a high work ethic or whether there is something in the very nature of the Gospel…