“And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:20-21 NIV
“You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:12 NKJV
God of teeming life,
So the sixth time You spoke creation, You created everything that swims, walks in water or flies! Even those of us who do not study marine biology and who only watch birds in the garden could fill pages with lists of species we know thanks to wildlife programmes! And how many of them eat each other. Some killer whales even seem to kill for sport! Can’t watch. And the poison that some jellyfish make can kill us! Creation certainly took a step away from the peace in the garden of Eden when we messed it up and were tempted to think we knew better than You.
And the sixth commandment? Short, sharp and to the point. Do not murder. Murder – the premeditated intent to extinguish life. Jesus took it further and spoke about those who hold anger even for their brother and sister. Saying they will also be judged (Matthew 5:22). Before the deed comes the attitude? As happened at the first murder (Genesis 4:3-8) shortly after Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). Cain nurtured jealousy for his brother, resentment and dislike grew too big to be contained.
We are different from the fish and the birds that kill. We have the choice not to murder. To deal with the emotions and feelings before they become actions. Jesus says at heart level You should deal with it put it right. It is hard Lord not to fester over something someone else intended to hurt You. Someone who is just not nice and unkind. But You will judge them in their time. Help us to let go, look to You and think about what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute (Philippians 4:8) and leave no room for anger, bitterness and unforgiveness. Even mild irritation which can be harder . . .
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God of teeming life,
We pray:
For all our family, friends, neighbours, our church family. For our neighbours old and new.
For our town, our local council and the well being of our surrounding area.
For our judicial system, the prisoners, the wardens and staff and those who work to help ex-offenders.
For Gaza and the Middle East, not just containment but an end to the terrorism without bloodshed. A miracle Lord.
For Putin, the Russian people that they would withdraw and consider peace. End war in Ukraine.
For help, relief and comfort for those in need in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco. For ongoing aid and medical agencies.
For those who need light shining in their hearts to soften and undo murderous thoughts.
For ourselves, that we would not dwell on those who have hurt or offended us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 23rd October 2023
Forgive our sins as we forgive’,
you taught us, Lord, to pray;
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.
How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?
In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly know:
what trivial debts are owed to us,
how great our debt to you!
Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls
and bid resentment cease;
then, by your mercy reconciled
our lives will spread your peace.
Repeat first verse.
Lyrics: Rosamond Herklots
This hymn was written in June 1966 and printed soon afterward in the parish magazine of St. Mary’s Church, Bromley, Kent. The idea of the hymn had occurred to Miss Herklots when she was digging out weeds in her nephew’s garden; she reasoned that their deep roots, obstructing the growth of the flowers near them, resembled the bitterness and resentment that can become entrenched and hinder the Christian’s growth in grace.