Tag: Goodness of God

Tuesday 20th May 2025

 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Psalm 23 KJV

“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath
 and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. Psalm 23 Message

God our eternal Shepherd,

It is good to read the most well know Psalm in different versions. Here one is a traditional translation and one a paraphrase. It stops us being too familiar even complacent thinking we know it and not letting You speak afresh to us through it. Even if I prefer one above the other it makes me consider what Your Word says and how it applies to my life. It makes me look at it again with fresh eyes.

This Psalm can become over familiar, often sung, being I think the most well known of all David’s Psalms by believers and those not sure. David could never have known how renowned his little verses would be. Written, many believe, at a very difficult time in his life when he was fleeing from his own son Absalom. He had family problems, was a refugee, had a loss of income and been rejected by all those who once supported him.

Life sometimes is not good. But . . . we can sit and dine on a rich banquet of Your love, Your provision and Your hope even when things look bleak or black. I love the thought that even when I am afraid or in flight mode Your love chases me to ensure I know I am loved and You are sticking with me. You are my Good Shepherd and the safest place to be is with You. I love You Lord.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 20th May 2025
When I first heard this worship I wondered over the words about God’s goodness running after me. Now I see that they beautifully echo David’s words in Psalm 23:6!

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

‘Cos and all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

Chorus

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after,
It’s running after me (oh)

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It keeps running after me

Chorus
I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing

Chorus
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Lyrics: Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding, Jenn Johnson.

Wednesday 16th April 2025

“As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 18 She said, “May your servant find favour in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” 1 Samuel 1:12-18 NIV

God of life,

The priest thought she was drunk. How embarrassing. But she did receive the answer to her prayer, though she did not have the experience of family life with him. Help us understand that answers to prayer are not always what we expect. Anna (Luke 2:36) was a widow in the Temple. I wonder how many times, when he was alive she prayed for a child? Yet she used her life to good and was rewarded with seeing Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus in the Temple.

Help us to hand over all our desires to You even with tears and then leave them there. Not wear them on our face and in our manner. And leave You to answer in the way that is best. thank you for the many answered prayers. Thank you that one day we will be able to ask You why some deep desires were not granted . . . or perhaps we will know and not need to . . .

Father Your compassion is unending and You do know what it is like to stand in our shoes. Help us with the deep things, the unanswerable things, the questions that have no answers. And help us to look to You and not be downcast but trust.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 16th April 2025
I don’t always understand but I can always sing of the goodness of God.

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

Cos all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God (yeah)

Chorus

‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me (oh)
Repeat

Chorus x 2

Lyrics:  Jason David Ingram, Brian Johnson, Edmond Martin Cash, Benjamin David Fielding and Jenn Johnson

Wednesday 8th January 2025

“Now the Angel of the Lord found her (Hagar) by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” 9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.” Genesis 16:7-9 “Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Genesis 16:13NKJV

So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away . . .  And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs . . . for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” . . . 17 And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.” Genesis 21:selected verses from 14-19 NKJV

Lord God,

We cannot rush through Genesis without pausing on Hagar. She was not able to make her own decisions and was at the hands of a woman desperate to conceive and who became jealous. Perhaps Hagar was goading her when she found herself pregnant. Two broken women each with their own hurts. I cannot condemn either as I have my own brokenness.

But looking to You I see that you asked her to return. Safer for her have and raise her baby with the assurance You would protect and care for her. Then when he was 14, (Abraham was 68 when he was born and 100 when Isaac was born), she found herself cast out again. Depressed and blind to any possibilities. And Yu came to assure her she would survive and prosper.

Sometimes we only see situations and forget to listen out for You. It could be people or external situations – our fault or others or both! Speak to us even over our weeping. Assure us, like Hagar, You are the God who sees me and comes to help. Both times You gave her what she needed. Water in the dessert wastelands. Her son sat a bows length away from her suggesting he could hunt and find food. You provide, guide us, who ever we are whatever life tells us we are worth or not worth. Remain or move on – You are the God who sees and provides.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Wednesday 8th January 2025

I love You, Lord
Oh, Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah

Chorus

‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.
Repeat . . . ‘Cause your goodness

Chorus . . . repeat twice

Lyrics: Ben Fielding / Brian Johnson / Edward Martin Cash / Jason Ingram / Jenn Johnson