In God’s debt

The sin of sin But you, Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15   Read Exodus 34:1—9 Only when I realise how sinful sin is in God’s eyes may I be ready to allow God’s description of his own character its full weight.…

In God’s debt

As we forgive Then I will teach transgressors your ways, So that sinners will return to you. Psalm 51:13   Read Matthew 18:23—35 There’s only one place for me in this story. I am the one who has been forgiven the unforgivable, the unrepayable debt. No one alive in Jesus’ day was worth 10,000 talents.…

The armour of God

All that is in the world Now let us see thy beauty, Lord, As we have seen before. Benjamin Waugh   1 John 2:15—17 The world I inhabit is certainly impossibly beautiful to me. I have seen beauties in it that I cannot bring myself to despise. Attractive, glorious beauty. I cannot turn myself into…

The armour of God

The splendid outcome What are human beings that you are mindful of them, Mortals that you care for them? Psalm 8:4   Read 2 Timothy 4:5—8 I may not spend much of my time thinking about the great conclusion to my life. Present concerns, present day matters press on me. By far the longest part…

The armour of God

God’s ornament Your hands have made and fashioned me; Give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Psalm 119:73   Read Titus 2:1—10 The Lord would have consistency in me. A consonance between myself and what I profess. It never did please Jesus to spot hypocrisy in anyone, and he called people out on…

The armour of God

Freedom without offence But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; The Lord hears when I call to him. Psalm 4:3   Read Romans 14:13—21 The principle is clear enough, but how does it apply to me? In Christ I have freedom. I am freed from finding my own way to…

The armour of God

My defender Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Psalm 35:1   Read 2 Corinthians 10:1—6 I know how hurtful and disabling it is to lose people’s respect. To lose my integrity is to lose everything. If anyone is in ministry, that ministry is gone. Something…

The armour of God

A ruthless love Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause Against an ungodly people. Psalm 43:1   Read Matthew 10:34—39 Since Jesus is the very embodiment of love, the form that the love of God has taken on the earth, and the definition and delineation of what love is, I may not have expected…

The armour of God

The moment of panic  My refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:2   Read John 4:46—54 This is barely a stand-alone story. By the introduction and the conclusion the writer wants me to get something. I’m meant to connect it with the story in chapter 2 where Jesus, at the…

The feast of the kingdom

The marriage supper of the Lamb You anoint my head with oil; My cup overflows. Psalm 23:5   Read Revelation 19:6—10 If I ever get old and doddery and lose the edge of some of my drives, I really hope I don’t lose the fulfilment of the hunger drive. Good food. The smell of it.…