“Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?” 2 And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up. Indeed I have delivered the land into his hand.”” Judges 1:1-2 NKJV
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 NKJ
Father God,
Judges can be a hard book to read. It starts off well. Joshua has died but the children of Israel are still seeking You for the next step forward. But then into the promised land and alas, down to disobedience and swopping You for their neighbours man made gods. Perhaps because this was a new generation from those who wandered through the dessert. We too see new generations doing things their way! As we did. But You are still God.
Joshua was a little like Jesus. He led his people, kept them safe like a flock as Jesus did, our Good Shepherd. But Joshua was a man, he died and was buried. Jesus, Your Son, died, was buried and rose again. He bequeathed us His living Spirit.
The book of Judges closes with everyone doing what was right in their own eyes. (Now and again a Judge arose in their desperation to save them. You never left them.) It is like the world today. With all those doing what is right in their own eyes at great cost to mankind.
It looks today like nothing has changed. But You are still God. You are still seeking lost lambs and still watching over Your flock. Still working out Your plan. So we pray You will keep reaching out to the rebellious and changing their lives for good. Meanwhile, we will seek to do what is right in Your eyes.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship and ministers and fellow Christian churches in the area..
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). World rulers and governments.
For the emergency services and our justice system. Prison service.
For Ukraine. The Christians and their fellowships. An end to killing, war.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for peace.
For Myanmar church. Afghanistan, China. Other areas where church is persecuted.
For the athletes travelling home and Paris getting back to normal.
For those who need healing for their eyes and sight. Those who have sight disability.
For those doing right in their own eyes hindered from evil, distracted and changed.
For those in crime and terrorism prevention. Finding drugs before they hit the streets.
For us to see the good that is being done around the world and to do good ourselves today.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Worship Monday 12th August 2024
Some call this as a Christmas hymn. I can understand that. But the words are a prayer for today.
Jesus, good above all other,
gentle child of gentle mother,
in a stable born our brother,
give us grace to persevere.
Jesus, cradled in a manger,
for us facing every danger,
living as a homeless stranger,
make we thee our King most dear.
Jesus, for thy people dying,
risen Master, death defying,
Lord in heaven, thy grace supplying,
keep us to thy presence near.
Jesus, who our sorrows bearest,
all our thoughts and hopes thou sharest,
thou to us the truth declarest;
help us all thy truth to hear.
Lord, in all our doings guide us;
pride and hate shall ne’er divide us;
we’ll go on with thee beside us,
and with joy we’ll persevere.
Lyrics: Percy Dearmer