“The Lord said to Samuel, “How long do you intend to mourn for Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with olive oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for myself from among his sons.” 2 Samuel replied, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!” But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you should do. You will anoint for me the one I point out to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord told him. When he arrived in Bethlehem, the elders of the city were afraid to meet him. They said, “Do you come in peace?” ” 1 Samuel 16:1-4 NET
Lord God,
There is nothing worse than being let down by people with responsibility and the news loves to bring them to our attention. And it can be worse when it is a friend or member of the family who has said they will do something and doesn’t. Or does something hurtful. But You, Lord God, tell Samuel to get over it, move on and look to the future.
There are times when we cannot fix the past or the present, when we just need to look to You and move forward and listen for Your voice. As Isaiah says, Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:21). Samuel moans, before going forward, but You reassure him You will be with him and show him where to go and what to do. And You promise us the same.
Thank You that You are the one who knows the future and knows when things just need to be moved away from and stepped over. Because there is something right and good and better in the future. And we are never left alone even if there are times we do not hear You clearly. Samuel filled his horn with oil, trusted and obeyed. Fill us with the oil of Your Holy Spirit and help us to trust and obey and move forward.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Lord God,
For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship and congregation members, our ministers, servers, wardens.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government, advisors, diplomats and ambassadors.
For Ukraine and Russia. Miracles to lead to the end of war and oppression.
For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Countries in conflict. Your purposes override those of man.
For those trying to provide water, food and medical supplies in war zones.
For all those recovering from illness, living with disabilities and struggling with finances.
For those in refuges and who have had to leave dangerous relationships. Bless those charities.
For our day to be one where we can see above the nitty gritty and disappointments to You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 23rd November 2024
The story of the song is under here, below the lyrics.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies
But His smile quickly drives it away
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear
Can abide while we trust and obey
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey
And ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more
Lord oh, for grace to trust You more
Lyrics: John H Sammis
The hymn was inspired in 1886 when the composer of the music, Daniel B. Towner (1850-1919), was the music leader during one of Dwight L. Moody’s famous revivals. “Mr. Moody was conducting a series of meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts, and I had the pleasure of singing for him there. One night a young man rose in a testimony meeting and said, ‘I am not quite sure—but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.’ I just jotted that sentence down, and sent it with a little story to the Rev. J. H. Sammis, a Presbyterian minister. He wrote the hymn, and the tune was born.” Sammis is said to have composed the lines of the refrain upon receiving the letter:
“Trust and obey—for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”