2026 will again be through the Bible chronologically selecting verses which attract my attention or questions or encourage me on the day. I pray it blesses whoever reads . . . My theological background is Salvation Army College and now Church of England. I love all Christian denominations.
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Forgive me and help me turn from everything I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay the price and set me free from my sin. Please come into my life, fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.”
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. 2 We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. 3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! 6 If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth— if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it, raze it, To its very foundation!” 8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, happy the one who repays you as you have served us! 9 Happy the one who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock! Psalm 137 NKJV
Lord God Almighty,
What a Psalm. Written by the exiles in Babylon. Deep grief, sorrow at the loss of their beloved Jerusalem. It recalls the abuse and humiliation they suffered at the hands of the Babylonians. Yet in the last three verses there is such a desire for unforgiving justice and violent revenge it comes as a shock!. Rage desiring the worst for their abusers and the helpless among them.
There is no taking stock of their own responsibility for their situation. There is no mention of You, their God. They miss the singing – not the worshipping. It leaves me feeling uncomfortable, because though I may not agree with the Babylonians conquering them, I am not sure I can condone vengeance as they perceive it!
Do we enjoy singing? Yes. Because it makes us feel good. But to sing in worship is more. Do we call on You to enable us to get our own back on those who have wronged us? It is not easy to love our enemies especially if we think we have done nothing wrong. And sometimes we have not. This Psalm speaks of raw emotions and not from a relationship with You. Sometimes anger comes before recognition and repentance. May we seek Your face, yes be honest in prayer but then listen. And worship our way da by day.
In Jesus name wee pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 13h August 2026 It had to be this song even though it is not a ‘church’ worship song it is an interesting mix of two Psalms bringing repentance into the mix! Boney M were a commercial band but two of their singers Liz Mitchell and Maizie Williams, were very vocal born again Christians. They covered this song – originally by the Melodians.
By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down Yeah, we wept when we remembered Zion By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down Yeah, we wept when we remembered Zion
[Verse 1] When the wicked carried us away in captivity Required from us a song Now how shall we sing the Lord’s song In a strange land? When the wicked carried us away in captivity Requiring of us a song Now how shall we sing the Lord’s song In a strange land?
[Verse 2] Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight
Chorus Music Interlude
By the rivers of Babylon (Dark tears of Babylon) There we sat down (You got to sing a song) Yeah we wept (Sing a song of love) When we remembered Zion (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) By the rivers of Babylon (Rough bits of Babylon) There we sat down (You hear the people cry) Yeah we wept (They need their god)
Lyrics: Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton From Psalm 19 and Psalm 137
“And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, that one who had escaped from Jerusalem came to me and said, “The city has been captured!” 22 Now the hand of the Lord had been upon me the evening before the man came who had escaped. And He had opened my mouth; so when he came to me in the morning, my mouth was opened, and I was no longer mute.23 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 24 “Son of man, they who inhabit those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land. But we are many; the land has been given to us as a possession.’ 25“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “You eat meat with blood, you lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood. Should you then possess the land? 26 You rely on your sword, you commit abominations, and you defile one another’s wives. Should you then possess the land?” ’” Ezekiel 33:21-26 NKJV
Lord God and Creator,
In the beginning the world was without form and void. And You spoke beauty, colour, life, and order to it. And as long as Your order was followed all was well. It did not last long. When down through history You choose Abraham and his people, You showed them Your order, Your laws, and offered protection, provision and blessing. It did not last long. But You were, are faithful. Ezekiel reminds them why they are in a mess, chaos all around. They left You, God. But You never left them.
We know You then began again with another man. Not a father of nations, not a priest, not a prophet, though he was all those things too . . . You sent the Law in person so we could see what it looked, sounded and acted like in person. Your character and nature in the person of Your Son Jesus Christ. He brought peace to the demon possessed (Mark 5:1-20), healing to the sick, life to the dead (Mark 5:21-43), He gave forgiveness freely (Luke 7:48) and life in all its fullness (John 10:10).
And yet today, all around me, I see people offending You. Doing what Ezekiel condemns. But then I see the church spreading Your message and trying to turn them to You. It seems a huge task. But every single person who finds You is a miracle. And one day it will be sorted. I know not how. But it will. Until then Lord, amidst a messy, sinful, fallen world, bless and protect Your people, give us a harvest of souls and deliver us from evil. A big prayer – but You are a big God, Lord.
In Jesus name wee pay, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 12th August 2026 I considered putting a hymn about the call to find the lost – but then the greatest miracle to me is that he saved me! It’s what inspires me to tell others . . .
I know not why God’s wondrous grace To me He hath made known, Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love Redeemed me for His own.
But “I know Whom I have believed, And am persuaded that He is able To keep that which I’ve committed Unto Him against that day.”
I know not how this saving faith To me He did impart, Nor how believing in His Word Wrought peace within my heart.
Chorus
I know not how the Spirit moves, Convincing men of sin, Revealing Jesus through the Word, Creating faith in Him. Chorus
I know not when my Lord may come, At night or noonday fair, Nor if I walk the vale with Him, Or meet Him in the air.
“Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, 12 “Take him and look after him, and do him no harm; but do to him just as he says to you.” 13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent Nebushasban, Rabsaris, Nergal-Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon’s chief officers; 14 then they sent someone to take Jeremiah from the court of the prison, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should take him home. So he dwelt among the people.” Jeremiah 39:11-14 NKJV
“And it happened after ten days that the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. 8 Then he called Johanan the son of Kareah, all the captains of the forces which were with him, and all the people from the least even to the greatest, 9 and said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition before Him: 10 ‘If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you. 11 Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,’ says the Lord, ‘for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand.” Jeremiah 42:7-11 NKJV
Father and Guide,
Jeremiah has consistently given them Your best way forward in very complicated circumstances, Enemies on every side coming and going. Then Israel being taken off into exile by Assyria and Judah by Babylon. Jeremiah told his people whether in Babylon or Judah to settle and get on with life. But do they? No of course not. Ishmael of the royal family and ten of his officers murder Gedaliah, who had been made governor of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 41:2). Then they are in fear of reprisal.
Jeremiah we see gains his freedom. Nebuchadnezzar perhaps saw him as someone speaking peace and against any rebellion so not only frees him but gives him provisions and a gift (Jeremiah 40:5-6). You did not overlook your servant. So he continues to speak out and warn against going to Egypt. So what do they do? They go to Egypt and take Jeremiah with them! But Jeremiah is not threatened by imprisonment, exile or by being a refugee . . . he continues to speak. And we moan at a little discomfort? I am sure he was not a perfect man – no one is. You gave him what he needed, not what he wanted and he was faithful. He was free to do Your will whether in prison or not. We are not all called to be a Jeremiah but keep us faithful.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Tuesday 11th August 2026 A free heart to follow and a fabulous worship hymn to rejoice.
And can it be that I should gain An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For, O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
