Guide me O thou great redeemer

Wednesday 12th February 2025

“Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. ²There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. ³“If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”” Exodus 16:1-3 NLT

““Give us water to drink!” they demanded. “Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?” ³But tormented by thirst, they continued to argue with Moses. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”” Exodus 17:2-3 NLT

Father God,

They had forgotten how tough it was as slaves in Egypt. They had forgotten all the miracles You performed and that You kept them from suffering the plagues and none of their first born died . . . they had forgotten that You had promised to lead them to the promised land alive!

How true the scripture which says, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. And whether they gathered a little manna or a lot each had exactly what they needed (Exodus16:17). You know what we need.

When our lives feel dry and we find ourselves hungry for direction or what to feed on – help us turn to You first to be fed on the truth and refreshed by Your Spirit. It is easier to grumble sometimes, rather than acknowledge where we are and look for what we need to You. Give us grace to persevere.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 12th February 2025
Time to relax in a traditional hymn which often comes to my mind . . .

Famous Welsh hymn writer William Williams wrote the Welsh hymn ‘Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch’ (Lord, lead me through the wilderness), in around 1762. Less than 10 years later it was translated into English by Peter Williams and became known as ‘Guide me, o thou great redeemer’. The tune Cwm Rhondda was written by John Hughes in 1905.

Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
be Thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.

Wednesday 17th July 2024

“Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the solemn truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but my Father is giving you the true bread from heaven. ³³For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread all the time!” ³⁵Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:32-35 New English Translation

Jehovah Jireh,

Abraham called the place where the sacrificial ram in place of His Son was caught in the thicket, Jehovah Jireh, God provides. Here is Jesus is reminding the crowd that only God can meet all their needs. They knew their old testament but had not grasped the truth. God provides. He had to remind them it was God provided the Manna and not Moses. Jesus himself would provide all they needed to live.

How clearly we can see Jesus was Your provision once our eyes are opened. The Bread of life. Not just manna to keep the body fed for a 40 year or lifetime journey but the sustenance of life that will keep us alive through death and for eternity. They kept missing the plot so to speak.

Today we have so many varieties of bread and of course the white sliced which is made of almost nothing nutritional. People have allergies, intolerances, don’t like it with seeds in. You do not come in any versions. Just Jesus truth through and through. We cannot pick and choose which of Your words we want. Jesus is our bread of life. As we accept Your provision through His help as accept all His Words.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Jehovah Jireh,

For our family, extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Sunday school teachers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For Gaza, Middle East, solutions for peace for all.
For Ukraine. Send a miracle, an end to war.
For countries suffering drought in South Africa and predicted in parts of Europe.
For those affected by murder and manslaughter and trauma.
For those with life threatening allergies. Children who cannot go out in daylight.
For schools trying to get everything done in the excitement of the last few days of term
For bakers large and small and provision for those who have little to bake and eat.
For us to give thanks for Your provision both literally and spiritually. To say grace before we eat?

In HIs name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 17th July 2024
A powerful prayer . . .

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee,
I will ever give to Thee.

Famous Welsh hymn writer William Williams wrote the Welsh hymn ‘Arglwydd, arwain trwy’r anialwch’ (Lord, lead me through the wilderness), in around 1762.

Less than 10 years later it was translated into English by Peter Williams and became known as ‘Guide me, o thou great redeemer’. The tune Cwm Rhondda was written by John Hughes in 1905.

Monday 22nd April 2024

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the lawto redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Galatians 4:4-5 NIV

God who redeems us,

We talk about being redeemed as Christians. But sometimes I forget it is more than just sin being paid for! We remember that You also redeemed the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. You showed us at Passover how the blood of sacrifice, smeared on the door lintels, redeeming them from death. But just being saved from death would have still meant slavery. They were saved from death and lead out of slavery to freedom. Free to pursue a new life and Your provision for the journey to the promised land.

We too are more than redeemed we are free to choose a new way f life with Your provision. I love this verse from Galatians. It reminds us that we are redeemed. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross frees us from death but it does not leave us where we are. It provides us with new life as Your children by Your Spirit. We not only have Your provision for the journey but a sure and beautiful destination.

One more step along the road I go, keep me travelling along with You, as the song says and keep me worshipping as I go.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who redeems us,

For our family and friends. As we recall them and bring their faces to mind bless them.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Joy for the journey and a harvest of new people..
For the royal family. For continued healing and family unity.
For our Parliament. So many discussions. Use them in unity, together for good.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring an end to war. Speak peace to stubborn hearts. Bless the peacemakers with power. Enable talks to walk out of war.
For our emergency services. Local charities. Food banks.
For those made slaves even today, here and abroad, we pray freedom and a new future.
For today, thanks for spring whether wet, dry, windy or calm. Help us appreciate a new day, life in You and the blessings You will send this week.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 22nd April 2024
Good sometimes to just sing a familiar hymn full blast and lift one’s spirit – and it’s my prayer.

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more.
Feed me till I want no more.

Open thou the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream shall flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer
Be thou still my strength and shield.
Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee.
I will ever give to thee.

Lyrics: William Williams