“It so happened that on the third day Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace, opposite the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace, opposite the entrance. 2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. The king extended to Esther the gold sceptre that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the sceptre. 3 The king said to her, “What is on your mind, Queen Esther? What is your request?”” Esther 5:1-3 NET
Lord God, Almighty,
I love the book of Esther, it is not too long to read the whole story and it has all of life in it. Divorce, remarriage, treachery, hatred, love, family. Good winning over evil but sadly as today war, conflict, racial hatred and death.
When Esther approached the King, she put on her royal attire. Help us to never take off the robe of righteousness that Jesus gives us and help us to keep it spotless in Him. Help us also to keep on our armour (Ephesians 6:10-18) on so we can not be taken captive by the enemy or wounded or tempted to sin.
Esther went to the King on the third day. It is intriguing that she asked for Mordecai and the Jews to fast and pray for three days before she went to the King with her request. We think of the three days Jesus spent before He rose from the grave! How wonderful that we do not have to wait three days to enter Your presence. We can come before You immediately, You are with us always, our King, our High Priest and our God. You who can sympathize with our weaknesses because Jesus was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. So we can come boldly to Your throne of grace, obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
We do not touch the end of Your sceptre we meet You through Jesus. How awesome, amazing and overwhelming.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Lord God Almighty,
For our close family,
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church Ministers, lay leaders, Sunday school teachers, fellow worshippers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal family. Parliament on summer break.
For Ukraine. An to end war. Medical aid and protection.
For peacemakers in Gaza, Middle East. Change hard hearts, melt vengeance, make steps to peace.
For Myanmar Your church people. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For the ongoing Olympic games. The pleasure effort and the strong yet peaceful competition.
For a revival of faith and assurance in church people in this nation. For revival around churches.
For those whose hands help the sick and the weak.
For us to remember and give thanks for all the good that is being done today around the world.
For the good people around us especially those that know and love You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 5th August 2024
A new old hymn!
The lyrics of Before the Throne of God Above were written in Ireland by Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841–1923). She titled it The Advocate. These powerful words were published in The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book in 1871, and in Charles Spurgeon’s Our Own Hymn Book in 1884. The hymn briefly rose in popularity during the 1870s then lay near dormant for almost 100 years. It was published again in hymnals around 1970. But it’s most recent revival came when Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Worship, wrote this beautiful new arrangement tune in 1997.
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest, whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look, and see Him there
who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
He pardoned me.
Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I am
The King of glory and of grace!
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ, my Savior and my God
Lyrics: Charitie Lees Bancroft
New Tune: Vikki Cook