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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Christ in me We give thanks; your name is near. People tell of your wondrous deeds. Psalm 75:1 Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9—12 Really, in all modesty, it is not a thing I would do, to urge my readers to note the list of admirable things about me. How I’d worked all night for their…
In the storm I will set his hand on the sea, And his right hand on the rivers. Psalm 89:25 Read Acts 27:20—26 This is not the only Bible story about being on a stormy sea. These stories leak into my life. My little church has been storm-tossed. So have I. I barely need…
The little things that speak loudly Take care that you do not despise One of these little ones. Matthew 18:10 Read Luke 16:9—13 Tonight Jesus is asking me to tune in to the possibility that lies in the little things. The little decision. The small bit of change. The brief word. Matters I have…