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Thursday 23rd April 2026

“”I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ 5 “Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel’s armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood he stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. 6 Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace. 7 “But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom. 8 “And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ 9 But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.”” 1 Kings 22:2-9 NKJV

God of righteousness and judgement,

Here we see another side of David. He prepares and organises the nation and puts aside all that may be needed to build the Temple and then, then, he lists people for destruction or blessing.

Solomon may not know all the history of David’s provocateurs or those who eat at the kings table. So David gives him the thumbs up to remove festering trouble. We may think it bloodthirsty but in David’s day the king had to watch his back, his front and his side! David gave him heads up for mistrust, removing trouble or at least knowing where it would come from.

Today Lord, we do not see people as our enemy. You, Lord God tell us that we must love our enemy, even where we cannot trust them. If he is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing we will heap coals of fire on his head. (Romans 12:20). And You will be their judge. However we do have another enemy. That old serpent (Revelation 12:9). Your Son, Jesus, likened him to a thief that comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). In the parable of the sower he is called satan and snatches Your Word from wayside people’s hearts (Mark 4:15).

So as we go forward help us learn from how the enemy has deceived, stolen or tripped us up in the past. Help us leave no room in our hearts or minds for his confusion and lies. Help us to do as Paul suggested. Be filled with Your Spirit.speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts.  (Ephesians 5:18).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 23rd April 2026
Now and again I come across a hymn I wish I had heard before . . .

I have learned the wondrous secret
Of abiding in the Lord;
I have found the strength and sweetness
Of confiding in his word;
I have tasted life’s pure fountain,
I am trusting in his blood,
I have lost myself in Jesus,
I am sinking into God.

I’m abiding in the Lord, And confiding in his word,
And I’m hiding in the bosom of his love.
Yes abiding in the Lord, And confiding in his word,
I am hiding in the bosom of his love.

I am crucified with Jesus,
And he lives and dwells in me,
I have ceased from all my struggling,
‘Tis no longer I, but he;
All my will is yielded to him,
And his Spirit reigns within,
And his precious blood each moment
Keeps me cleansed and free from sin.

Chorus

All my sicknesses I bring Him,
And He bears them all away:
All my fears and griefs I tell Him,
All my cares from day to day.
All my strength I draw from Jesus,
By His breath I live and move,
E’en His very mind He gives me,
And His faith, and life, and love.

Chorus

For my words I take his wisdom,
For my works his Spirit’s pow’r,
For my ways his gracious Presence
Guards and guides me every hour.
Of my heart he is the Portion,
Of my joy the ceaseless Spring;
Saviour, the Sanctifier, Keeper,
Glorious Lord and coming King.

Chorus

Lyrics: Albert B Simpson (1891)

Wednesday 22nd April 2026

“So when David was old and full of days, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. 2 And he gathered together all the leaders of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. 3 Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and above; and the number of individual males was thirty-eight thousand. 4 Of these, twenty-four thousand were to look after the work of the house of the Lord, six thousand were officers and judges, 5 four thousand were gatekeepers, and four thousand praised the Lord with musical instruments, “which I made,” said David, “for giving praise.”” 1 Chronicles 23:1-5 NKJV

“Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 And Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests. 3 Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service.” 1 Chronicles 24:1-3 NKJV

“Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals.” 1 Chronicles 25:1 NKJV

“Concerning the divisions of the gatekeepers: of the Korahites, Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph. 2 And the sons of Meshelemiah were Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth, 3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the sixth, Eliehoenai the seventh. Moreover the sons of Obed-Edom were Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth; for God blessed him.” 1 Chronicles 26:4-5 NKJV

Father God,

We read through these chapters with endless names and tribes and thousands of people allotted tasks. We see familiar names like the family of Obed-Edom which catches our attention. Then we move on and in following chapters see how the compulsory military duties were allotted and shared out in turn. Names, names, names.

But then we see David and his understanding of people, people, people. He ensured all had a place, a responsibility knew their role and how it fitted together in the Kingdom. I don’t think I have ever read of David saying one role was more important than another? David left the people well organised which was more valuable than anything else he inherited. Yes David left much ready for the building too, but he recognised the true value of structure and his fellow Israelites.

With You Lord it is always people who are most valuable or should I say person. Jesus did not die and rise again to prove anything. He did not come to condemn but to save (John 3:17). One heart at a time, the individual is important. Even when an appeal is given and several people respond by opening their hearts to Jesus – each has an encounter with Your rison Son both individual, personal and perfect. You deliver life. You have been everything to me, every step of the way, even when my feet have faltered. Help me see life as people, people, every person special..

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 22nd April 2026

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore (You restore)
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore (You restore)
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
Repeat

And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
Repeat . . .

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
Repeat . . .

Lyrics: Jason Ingram, David Leonard, Leslie Jordan

Tuesday 21st April 2026

“Give the king Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king’s Son. 2 He will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice. 3 The mountains will bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. 4 He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor. 5 They shall fear You as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. 6 He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, like showers that water the earth. 7 In His days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.

8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 9 Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, and His enemies will lick the dust. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. 11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him.

12 For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him who has no helper. 13 He will spare the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy. 14 He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; and precious shall be their blood in His sight. 15 And He shall live; and the gold of Sheba will be given to Him; prayer also will be made for Him continually, and daily He shall be praised.

16 There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, on the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; and those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. 17 His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed. 18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! 19 And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen. 20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Psalm 72 NKJV

God of justice, the needy and our deliverer,

I had not read before that as possibly the last Psalm David wrote it is known as his last will and testament. So I wanted to take a look at it before we look at what David does before he dies. The whole of it not just pick and mix!

David is listing Your traits O God but also what he is wanting His Son to be like as the next King. It is something to live up to. Perhaps no man could reach this but then David knows that from personal experience. But in remembering what a great God you are gives him hope for his son following him and You God.

David did not know but there was One to come who would totally fulfill this Psalm. A Son who was of David’s line, but a King in His own right. Who delivers those who have no other helper. Who waters the earth and daily is praised around the world. Whose name endures forever. Jesus the Christ. So as Paul says, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1,2).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 21st April 2026
Love this version

 Rejoice, the Lord is King:
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When He has purged our stains,
He took his seat above;
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules o’er earth and heav’n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv’n:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand
Till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command,
And fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope!
Jesus the judge shall come
And take His servants up
To their eternal home:
We soon shall hear
The Archangel’s voice
The trump of God shall sound
Rejoice rejoice

Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Lyrics: Charles Wesley