“When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud wailing, Rachel weeping for her children, and she did not want to be comforted, because they were gone.”” Matthew 2:16-18 NET
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8,9).
Omniscient (all knowing) God,
We worship You the only true and living God. We cannot fully comprehend Your thoughts and wisdom and plans. And yet we can know You intimately by having Jesus in our life, reading Your Word and allowing Your Spirit to live in us. But there are many things we cannot understand this side of heaven and we do have some unanswered questions. Give us faith to leave these things pending till we see You face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). Not to endlessly be eaten up with the why’s.
Father God, this time of year many acknowledge innocents day. It started way back in the 5th century. You must have had a reason for telling us about Herod killing all the under 2 year olds. It is unbearable to think about. So many things in Your Word we would prefer not to know. But You do not sweep evil under the carpet. Greed, jealousy, selfishness start small – Herod shows us what happens when we let them run free in our mind and the possible terrible consequences.
The enemy used seeds of evil in Herod’s heart. But he let them grow even fed them. The enemy tried to stop Jesus, at the very beginning, then before he began his ministry, in the wilderness. He tried to stop Him in the garden of Gethsemane. The enemy used Jesus humanity, plain old temptation but Jesus submitted it to You, His Father and stopped it at the thought stage.
Thank You that we have You with us to protect us and help us to be good. You knew and loved those little boys who died. Theologians may pontificate but we trust You with their eternal destiny. We rest in Your compassionate heart. Keep us reading, learning, praying and trusting even beyond the why’s.
Father God,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and joy.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
For our NHS, regardless of politics and finance. Inspire those who can help it prosper, to be a place of healing and care.
For all those who foster and adopt babies and children.
For all those who work in and support orphanages abroad. For the children who need new parents and guardians.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love.
For ourselves, that we would not let any doubts disturb us and bless us today.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 28th December 2023
An old worship hymn but with words relevant to today.
When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own:
Refrain:
Like the stars of the morning,
His bright crown adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.
He will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom;
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own.
Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
Lyrics: Rev William Orcutt Cushing USA 1823-1903.