For I'm building a people of power

“Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?” ¹³And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. ¹⁴So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. ¹⁵I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; for I was a little angry, and they helped—but with evil intent.” ¹⁶‘Therefore thus says the Lord: “I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the Lord of hosts, “And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ’ ¹⁷“Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; the Lord will again comfort Zion, and will again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ” Zechariah 1:12-17 NKJV

Lord of hosts,

Now Zechariah enters the prophetic conversations. He is very different from Haggai and Ezra. He is less like a priest and speaks using visions and pictures. Like all prophets the first thing he does is call them to repentance and reminds them that their fathers didn’t listen and got themselves into judgement.

He also speaks of rebuilding Jerusalem but of another future when God’s people will spread out from Jerusalem. His pictures are vivid and clear. Like Your four chariots with horses of four colours, reporting back to You that there is peace in the world (Zechariah 6:1-8). Surely they must understand that this is a good time to start building the Temple again.

We have seen many generations building for You God. Churches large and small, and grand cathedrals. Spires reminding people to look up to You God. Now many are too expensive to keep up and repair and are cold even though beautiful and full of memories. And property can be used for You Lord. We do need somewhere to meet and worship but perhaps, as always, we need to be concerned with building the Kingdom of God, the church? (Ephesians 2:19-22). There is no peace around the world today and we need to build sanctuaries, fellowships of people who can share Your peace and give human comfort. Build Your church Lord.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 10th September 2026
A chorus from the 70’s when simple chorus’s could be learned and sung. No screens! It was inspired by: Ephesians 2:21-22 and Isaiah 43:21

For I’m building a people of power
And I’m making a people of praise
That will move through this land by My Spirit
And will glorify My precious name

Build Your church, Lord. Make us strong, Lord.
Join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son
Make us one, Lord In Your Body
In the kingdom of Your Son
Build Your church, Lord. Make us strong, Lord.
Join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son
Make us one, Lord In Your Body
In the kingdom of Your Son

Lyrics: Dave Richards

“Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. ²So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, ³but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” ⁴The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, ⁵I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” ⁶The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.

⁷I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. ⁸And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.” Nehemiah 9:1-8 New Living Translation

Gracious God,

Again God we read of Nehemiah giving glory to You for protecting and providing his every need. (verse 8). And before that has admitted that he was both sad and terrified. But he found Your strength in his weakness, to ask the king and queen, not just for time off but for expensive timber and letters of royal authority. And realistically, would a king and queen want a trustworthy always cheerful servant (serving wine), to be away for a long time?

Did Nehemiah have building experience? Leadership experience? He certainly seems to develop both as we read on later. Or was he just so moved at the bad news that the wall was broken down and the gates burned he was passionate for his homeland. Was he just moved to do something and not leave it to someone else?

One thing we are sure of. Your gracious hand was upon him as surely as it was on Ezra. How can we ever know if we keep quiet and never ask. The worst that can happen is a no. It took Nehemiah out of his comfort zone into the unknown. But he was not alone Your gracious hand was upon him all the way, all the time. So we too look for those opportunities to serve You God . Give us grace to ask and to see it through. Even if it is mundane and not as grand as building city walls! Build Your church Lord, use even me.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 6th October 2025
Do you remember this? Written in 1975 when the church began singing ‘modern’ choruses.

For I’m building a people of power
And I’m making a people of praise
That will move through this land by my Spirit
And will glorify my precious name

Build your church, Lord, make her strong, Lord
Join her hearts, Lord, through your Son
Make us one, Lord, in your body
In the kingdom of your Son

For I’m building a people of power
And I’m making a people of praise
That will move through this land by my Spirit
And will glorify my precious name

Build your church, Lord, make her strong, Lord
Join her hearts, Lord, through your Son
Make us one, Lord, in your body
In the kingdom of your Son

Build your church, Lord, make her strong, Lord
Join her hearts, Lord, through your Son
Make us one, Lord, in your body
In the kingdom of your Son

Lyrics Dave Richards: