Tag: Be Thou my vision

Tuesday 6th May 2025

“When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, “What do you mean to do with these?” So Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ 4 So the king said to Ziba, “Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.”” 2 Samuel 16:1-4 KJV

“Now Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. And he had not cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace. 25 So it was, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 And he answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go to the king,’ because your servant is lame. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.” 2 Samuel 19:24-27 KJV

Father God,

This is not so much two faced as six of one and half a dozen of the other! And David we read after he has heard both sides of the story, eaten Ziba’s provisions but then seen the length of Mephibosheth’s mustache makes a wise decision. To give Mephibosheth and Ziba half the land equally. Mephibosheth shows his true nature by being more grateful that David is safe and back as king than worrying about land.

Sometimes it is necessary to hear both sides of the story or just to recognise there is one. Someone once reminded me of a very little but often true saying. Hurt people – hurt people. We do not always know why people are so touchy of take offence at minor things. Not that it gives permission for sin and evil. But can help act rather than react in situations. Till we have heard all sides or made sure we are not responding with our own pain.

How we need You in the little hurts of life which sometimes seem bigger than they are. Like a small cut on your finger which you keep catching. Help us like David to put things right even if it is much later. David had to forgive his own people for following Absalom as he returned to be their king!

And as the King of Kings, Your Son, commanded us: we should be  as sheep in the midst of wolves. As wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Tuesday 6th May 2025
I came across this song recently and could not find the lyrics on-line. Though not my usual genre of worship I found it held my attention. See what you think. I have added Be Thou y vision below as that seemed to fit too . . .



Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art –
thou my best thought, in the day or the night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word;
I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my battle shield sword for the fight;
be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower;
raise thou me Heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou, and thou only, be first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, after victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun,
heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my Vision, O ruler of all.

Lyrics: Possibly based on a Middle Irish poem most attributed to Dallán Forgaill, an early Christian Irish poet born in 530AD.

Saturday 26th October 2024

“Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.” Proverbs 25:11 NLT

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 NLT

Almighty God,

Timely advice. Would be good to go back to give ourselves some when we were younger . . . that would have been golden. The Psalmist wanted to try to put a priceless value on perfectly timed advice. It could have just said, timely advice is like golden apples. Is he saying something about the value of the one who delivers it and how? Timely, not judgemental, not to intimidate or belittle.

Lord I know there have been times when I have not wanted to receive advice or someone has delivered it to make me feel stupid or themselves clever. It is not up to us to tell someone else what they should do! Advice is just that, advice.

James gives us a description of wisdom so we learn good content for golden advice. Is it pure, gentle, willing to yield if not accepted, full of mercy? Like Your wisdom – and Your advice. Who could refuse Your wisdom? Yet they do! Help us to recognise and receive Your wisdom. When it is for helpful for us to give advice, to give it humbly. To take advice, given by others, and weigh it before You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Almighty and merciful God,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. Local councillors
For Ukraine and Russia. For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. End to hostility and war.
For those making decisions in NHS management and for consultants advice to patients.
For Your wisdom to flow where parents, friends are called upon for advice.
For us to give encouraging advice and open to asking others to pray about our decisions.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Saturday 26th October 2024
Well known lyrics from another age still relevant, and beautiful. The words were taken from ‘The Poem Book of the Gael’ tr. Mary Elizabeth Byrne (1880-1931), edited by Eleanor Henrietta Hull (1860-1935).

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art –
thou my best thought, in the day or the night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word;
I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my battle shield sword for the fight;
be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower;
raise thou me Heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou, and thou only, be first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, after victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun,
heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my Vision, O ruler of all.

Sunday 15th September 2024

“Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. 2 So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead. 3 Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth.” 2 Samuel 14:1-3 NIV

God of truth,

Openness and transparency. Words we hear today but do not always see practiced! Or am I becoming cynical Lord? There are many good people but we often hear of the others in the news. Here in the Bible Joab gets a woman to spin a yarn to King David and then ask for what he, Joab really wanted. She looked open and transparent but she was not. Joab planned the outcome to be to his own benefit.

Putting words in someone else’s mouth is often for personal benefit. And how often it rebounds on the person relaying the message! David lived to regret the turmoil caused by this seemingly innocent ladies mouth. What is it the writer of proverbs says? Even a fool is considered wise if he stays silent (Proverbs 17:28). Plans fail but with many advisors comes deliverance (Proverbs 11:14). Even Jesus does not put words in our mouth. His Holy Spirit guides and helps us it is our choice what we actually say. Help our lives to be open and transparent and for good not to manipulate others or the future.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of truth,

For our close family. Their individual needs and hopes.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations. Joyful worship.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For Parliament, house of commons and Lords. Openness and transparency.
For Ukraine. Lord God, bring an end to war and an end to violence.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Step into their midst with Your peace.
For world leaders to be open to Your leading and to peace not power.
For respite from bullies at work and an uncovering of them by others.
For courts to see through witnesses who do not speak the truth.
For us a day of openness to You, to hear Your encouragement and be open to Your words

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 15th September 2024

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all

Amen . . .