“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. 11 The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord. 13 They abandoned the Lord to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. 14 This made the Lord burn with anger against Israel, so he handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them.” Judges 2:10-14 NLT
Father God,
Short memories and every generation like to do things its own way. Nothing has changed. Except . . . These were Your chosen people and You kept telling them one day they would bless all nations. And they were Your people by birth. Born into the lineage of Abraham.
Then Jesus talked about being born again into Your Kingdom (John 3:3). It reminds me that there are no grandchildren in Your Kingdom. Only Your children (John 1:12) We are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God in Jesus (John 1:13).
You have not changed. You are still disappointed, angry? when one of Your children turns away to other Gods or abandons You. And we would not want to anger You – but it is not fear that keeps me faithful. Though a healthy respect is good. It is Your profound love in sending Jesus, Your endless forgiveness and Your pouring out Yourself into our lives by Your Holy Spirit for our good. It is Your promises and who You. It is the gift of resurrection. It is knowing Your with me always. Keep me true.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 3nd April 2025
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
Of all Thy rich graces, this grace Lord impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our hearts.
All laud we would render, O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth Thee
And so let Thy glory Almighty impart
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.
Lyrics: Walter Chalmers Smith
Modern Version ; Nathan Drake, Walter C. Smith (Reawaken Hymns)
Lyrics: