“Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. 2 He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.” Isaiah 49:1-2 NLT
Father and Lord,
In the New King James version it opens with, “listen O coastlands” and the NIV says, “listen to me O Islands”! Suddenly You are addressing us, an island and the rest of the world of gentiles and not just Israel. How exciting.
And with hindsight which, Isaiah did not have, we see Jesus. Called from heaven, spoken into an earthly womb to be born as one of us. And we picture Mary being called to carry Him and give birth. You pronouncing His name to Mary in Luke 1:31. Your trusting us with Him and us having no plan B.
We remember how those that heard Him said he spoke with authority, commanding even unclean spirits (Mark 1:27). The writer to the Hebrews tells us, “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Nothing is as powerful.
And we know that Jesus was hidden in plain sight until Your time was right. Your arrow, Jesus, was used to kill death, deal with sin and judgement and provide a safe way back yo You.
We love to listen to You, O Lord. You have the words of eternal life (John 6:68) and we worship You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Father and Lord,
Bless all those we love, know and care about, with life and life in all its fulness. Open their eyes to see the wonder in the world, Your love for them and the hope that springs eternal in Jesus. Bless their day with good things and good health.
Bless Ukraine today with a break from war and the hope of peace to come. Work out Your purposes in Russia and change their agenda to peace.
We pray for all those who will work long and hard today and pray the time will go quickly and they will see the benefit of their labours. We ask that where the workers are oppressed, enslaved and not paid a fair wage You would to change their circumstances for good. Direct them to paid, safe employment and uncover those who take children and grown ups into slavery so they can be freed and helped. For those who work to change these situations we pray You will empower, enable and protect them.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 25th August 2023
Thank You that Jesus came for the world, for us, for me.
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”
And now let the weak say, “I am strong”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us”
Lyrics: Henry Smith