““Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; see now and know; and seek in her open places if you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth, and I will pardon her. 2 Though they say, ‘As the Lord lives,’ surely they swear falsely.” 3 O Lord, are not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, but they have not grieved; You have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to return. 4 Therefore I said, “Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they do not know the way of the Lord, the judgment of their God. 5 I will go to the great men and speak to them, for they have known the way of the Lord, the judgment of their God.” But these have altogether broken the yoke and burst the bonds.” Jeremiah 5:1-5 NKJV
Lord God,
You who we see and read about in the past, are working out our present and has a plan for our future. Because You are God and not under the sway of chance, never taken by surprise by circumstances or not defeated by any other power opposing. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of what You are not!
Jeremiah says that You, God were looking for just one good godly man anywhere in Jerusalem so You could pardon them. But there was not one. It reminds me of Abraham counting down the number of good people in Sodom – so it could be spared along with his nephew and family. And You could find none but spared Lot his wife and two daughters before the destruction.
But one day we know one who will be found, walking the streets of Jerusalem who is good, righteous and holy. One man who was also You with us. Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23). It is incredible how many times, in the old testament, You reminded us of Your mercy and desire to restore. Like beams of light in the darkness. It shows us Who You are and why You are our God. You never stopped providing them and us with opportunities to choose You and freedom. The Yoke Jesus gives us in not one of slavery but one of guidance and rest (Matthew 11:28-30). We desire to plough on in Your way, with You today and always.
Worship Saturday 4th July 2026
More a meditation and a test to see if you can be still and rest for just under 3 minutes and focus
Author: admin
Friday 3rd July 2026
““Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the Lord, “And against your children’s children I will bring charges.
10 For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, send to Kedar and consider diligently, and see if there has been such a thing.
11 Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit.
12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord.
13 “For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.””
Jeremiah 2:9-13 NKJV
God who changest not,
I can never rush over these verses in Jeremiah. It is a fundamental question that God asks his people through Jeremiah. After all I have done with You and for You why have You swapped me for gods who are made of wood, powerless and made up? Teams swap their coaches when they loose a lot. Musicians change their teachers when they want to progress to a higher level. How can a people change their god when their is only one? You God star in their history. You were evident by the miracles and constant guiding. You gave them festivals of remembrance both grave and joyful. You never left them even when they turned to other gods.
Even the other nations whose gods cannot be like You, stick to their gods. Jeremiah is amazed at Judah’s foolishness. But You are more than amazed. You are astonished! They have chosen dry worship. There is no refreshment in idolatry. I know if I am too busy, neglect my inner connection with You or are distracted by worries or fears, I run dry. Like a car running on almost empty . . . Not replacing You, but neglecting You? I suspect it is similar . . . and it doesnt mean I have to read chapters, pray for hours to make up. But restore and keep that constant communication intact.
In Jesus name we pry, Amen.
Worship Friday 3rd July 2026
I like this version because they do not slow it down but sing it joyful.
Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.
Lyrics: Thomas O Chisholm
Thursday 2nd July 2026
“Nevertheless the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, with which His anger was aroused against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him. 27 And the Lord said, “I will also remove Judah from My sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’ ”28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 29 In his days Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt went to the aid of the king of Assyria, to the River Euphrates; and King Josiah went against him. And Pharaoh Necho killed him at Megiddo when he confronted him. 30 Then his servants moved his body in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place.” 2 Kings 23:26-30 NKJV
“Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.” 2 Chronicles 35:22 NKJV
God who cannot forget,
The Chroniclers again add extra detail to the books of Kings, telling us that You, God gave Josiah opportunity to make peace and not go to war. But he was determined to fight and he lost his life as a consequence. Father I am glad on occasions when I have not listened to You, You have kept me from harm.
And as we have travelled through Kings and Chronicles and listen to the prophets, all we seem to hear is warnings, judgements and consequences. But there is something to be grateful for as I read. Something that makes me wonder and be grateful at Your character and being. You judge and sometimes allow consequences that are hard. But You never abandon or desert or give up on.
Adam and Eve, Noah and his family, Moses the murdered, the Israelites idolatry, the split and antagonism between Israel and Judah and both abandoning You. Nations attacking Your people. And You had already planned ahead. Already planned to hold back final judgement till salvation was offered to all naions. When a solution would be offered voluntarily and at cost only to Yourself. As the Psalmist says, we would finding safety and shelter under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 91:4).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 2nd July 2026
This version with the Arabic really spoke to my heart and of the pain of our fellow believers around the world – persecuted or in the midst of war . . .
I will dwell in the shadow of your wings.
I will know of the peace your love can bring.
Night will fall but I will not be afraid
When I dwell in the shadow of your wings.
In the shadow, in the shadow,
in the shadow of your wings. (x2)
Safety lies in the shadow of your wings.
I rely on your faithful covering.
Arrows fly but I will not be afraid
When I dwell in the shadow of your wings.
In the shadow, in the shadow,
in the shadow of your wings. (x2)
Lyrics: Cathy Spurr/ Debbie McNeil