Tag: Great is thy faithfulness

Tuesday 24th March 2026

“Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young. 5 Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.” 1 Samuel 1:24-28 NKJV

God of history,

We move into the book of 1 Samuel and the end of the period of Judges. Perhaps Samson left them wary of having another Judge! But here, in readiness, God, You sent a baby, who who would grow up to be Your man and faithful to Your call. And it begins with a godly woman who calls to You in her distress for a child. Even being mistaken for a drunkard in her fervent prayer!

The miracle of life. But Hannah says something here that is not just godly it is an attitude of one who knew You as a provider. Hannah says, You Lord granted my petition for a child so I have lent him to You as long as he lives. She knew what it would cost her and treasured those early years.

Jesus said we should count the cost of being a disciple (Luke 14:28-30). We only begin to understand when we see what it cost You God, in Jesus. Hannah lent Samuel back to You because she understood, You had granted her request. Some versions say she dedicated him- but I like this version. If all I have is from You then I should make it all available lend it for You to use, Lord. That is a huge promise to make. Perhaps Lord, we could start where I am and learn as I go? Learning to know how and when and what to use in Your service? Wisely and yet freely?

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 24th March 2026

Not a hymn I select too often lest it becomes over familiar. But this version is sung with such gusto and faith it demands a silent prayer at the end – and all I have is thine to use as You will . . .

In 1903, Thomas Chisholm started a family by marrying the love of his life: Catherine Vandervere. His path in life was set, he would be a minister for the remainder of his days. But he suffered a decline in health and in 1909, had to leave his congregation. Financial issues arose from hospital bills. Thomas never became bitter quite the opposite. He had more time to write hymns, and the loving support of his wife and two daughters. He found a job selling life insurance. No matter the struggle, Thomas chose to see God’s faithfulness.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness, great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.

Lyrics: Thomas O Chisholm (1923)

Wednesday 10th December 2025

 “About eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in. 7 When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn’t prove. 8 Paul denied the charges. “I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said. 9 Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?” 10 But Paul replied, “No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. 11 If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!”” Acts 25:6-12 NLT

Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. 31 As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.” Acts 25:30-32 NLT

Father in Heaven,

When we read through these full chapters we see that the courts were more about stopping trouble before it started than letting the innocent go free. The Jewish religious leaders were just as persistent with Paul as they had been trying to silence Jesus.

And Paul speaks in his letters about being ready to die, “the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” ( 2 Timothy 4:6-8). Scholars believe he was eventually executed by beheading (as he was a Roman citizen). And certainly he stops writing, after his second letter to Timothy, which I doubt he would have done otherwise.

He acknowledges the journey – a battle, a race and nothing has taken away his faith. Frightening, strenuous and stubborn faith? We know it has been because we are following his journeys and difficulties. I’m glad he does not gloss it over. You, God have not always answered his prayers and we are shortly to see how he nearly drowned, got bitten by a snake and had to live and earn his keep while awaiting trial in Rome. (Acts 27:42, Acts 28:3, Acts 28:30).

So perhaps I should not be surprised when it feels like a battle, or an endurance race. And I know how that feels having done marathons . . . It is past tiredness. I pray that I will stand on, lean on, rely on my faith. Which I cannot boast is from me but is the faith that You give me day by day as I need. And faithfulness is the fruit of Your Holy Spirt should I choose to feed it and let it grow (Ephesians 5:22). Thank You for Your great faithfulness O Lord.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Wednesday 10th December 2025


Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.

Lyrics: Thomas O Chisholm



Friday 21st March 2025

“Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! 27 You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. 28 But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: 3 Your towns and your fields will be blessed. 4 Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. 5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. 6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.” Deuteronomy 28:1-5 NLT

Lord God,

In Moses day there was a definite black and white theology. Obey God be blessed. Ignore or rebel and be cursed. They did see sickness and suffering as punishment and flourishing flocks or families as a blessing. Oh that it was so simple.

Then, You sent Your definitive Word, Jesus. He suffered and died not for His sin but ours. He said that it would be tough for those who followed Him. Jesus said His followers must take up their cross (Matthew16:24) and die to self (John 12:24). The first disciples and Paul certainly suffered for their faith and had sickness. Epaphroditus was sick and almost died (Philippians 2:25-27). We read these blessings and curses and know that we are blessed when we trust You, God. Knowing You committed Yourself to us and bringing about our future. You, God will never leave us and will take us home to heaven. We are blessed in having Your light of life and knowing Your faithfulness and fellowship as we journey home. The comfort of Your refuge and strength and present help in times of trouble.( Psalm 46).

In one way it is black and white, in that You are with us, Light of the world or not. Faith is all about a relationship with You through the cross. With You we have a faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) and You are our way the truth and the life (John 14:6). Without You there is only self, superstition, false light, darkness and religion (trusting in something other that You, God).

Help us to worship You, live in You and as we rejoice in Your love, pray and proclaim and show Your love to one another. Not judge those in darkness but share Your light.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 21st March 2025

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside.

Lyrics: Thomas O Chisholm