He will hold me fast – Start The Day

Tuesday 24th June 2025

“Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. ¹⁸She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” ¹⁹“Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. ²⁰Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” ²¹Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!” ²²The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. ²³Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!” ²⁴Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”” 1 Kings 17:17-24 NKJV

Father God,

The widow and her son had been ready to make there last meal and then die – when Elijah came. I can understand her grief and anger that when Elijah came and You Lord miraculously fed them all – he then died. She blames Elijah and You, God and herself. We are not told what he died of but it seemed sudden and he was not struck down by You. How soon we turn to blame everyone even ourselves. Elijah is devastated and he turns immediately to You.

His cry is personal and Your response is personal to his request. You raised the son from the dead but he would eventually have to die even if it is of old age. It leaves me with questions about why some recover and some who we pray for do not. I leave that with You Lord.

But remember that You would send another, Your Son, who You would raise from the dead. Not back to humanity but to return to You and be one with You and the Holy Spirit. Preparing for us a place and eternal life after we die (John 14:1-4)..

Sickness and illness is part of this worlds fall. But it is not the end. We can pray for recovery and it is a blessing when that prayer is answered. But better the prayer to Know Your Son and pass through death to eternal life with You. To know Your everlasting arms holding us underneath in all circumstances. So faith, hope and love is not stolen by the enemy. (Deuteronomy 33:27).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 24th June 2025
This is one of those hymns I never tire of because it leads me to the Saviour, faith and worship . . .

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When he comes at last

Lyrics: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Selah 2020.

Monday 13th January 2025

“Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” ¹⁶Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ¹⁷Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. ¹⁸Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.” ¹⁹And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” ²⁰So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.” Genesis 29:15-20 NKJV

Father God,

The schemer Jacob was outmanoeuvred or rather out scammed here! Leah was given to him in the dark after the revelling and then he had to promise to do another 7 years hard labour for Rachel even though she was given in marriage the next week. And he agreed. I wonder how he would have reacted before he encountered You, God who promised him a future? Perhaps he saw the bigger picture and perhaps You had worked on his heart so he could accepted their customs, the marriage to Leah and 7 more years labour.

One thing we learn early in life, is that we cannot always have our own way. And things can go wrong regardless. Knowing You, Lord, we learn that our thoughts are not always Your thoughts. Or rather as You say through Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” You know best. Jacob learned to be patient for 14 years while preparing for the next move. Father, praying for patience is a long hard lesson!

But we do pray, that like Jacob, when we are disappointed, misled or have the unexpected happen, that You will give us the peace of mind to seek You first. And be able to get on with whatever needs to be done in the best way possible. And trust You even if we have to be patient.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Monday 13th January 2025

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

Chorus

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When he comes at last

Lyrics: Matthew Sherman Merker
From the hymn by: Ada R Habershon

Continue to pray for Los Angeles
Ukraine
Middle East
Our family, friends, church and neighbourhood.

Friday 6th September 2024

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. ⁹The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:8-9 NIV

“And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:15-17 NIV

Lord God,

Forbidden fruit. So many people, many Christians think it is about a forbidden apple! It actually refers to the fruit from the one forbidden tree. One tree among so many other fruiting trees in the orchard. ‘Not allowed’ makes it more tempting? If you tell a child not to do something they will often do it when they think you are not looking. Why do we just want to try a little bit of something we know we should not? Frightened of missing out? Looks good . . . so many sins start out with just a little nibble. Addiction is having to chasing the first taste as nothing after is ever as good.

Forbidden fruit could have been fig, pomegranate, orange, pear, plum, lime . . . a fruit we no longer see. It is good that it is not named because temptation comes in many disguises. We all have different weaknesses, as varied as the variety of fruit.

Forbidden fruit, even the name shows we know the truth. Some things should not be done, touched, or tried and will not be good for us. And God never leaves us without an opposite. The other special tree in the garden for them was the tree of life. They lost the right to eat from it. We had to wait till another tree gave us back the right to life. The tree upon which Jesus hung.

Every time we break bread or drink we can remember His words, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”” Luke 22:19,20) May Your Holy Spirit keep us from temptation, and may we remember each time we eat and drink the cost of life You gave us in Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours. Miracles.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For Paralympians, family and coaches and those supporting.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). The Royal family’s continuing health.
For Ukraine. May Your will be to end war, soon. Protect and bless Your church.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Peace, peace talks, an end to retaliation and hostage release.
For the autumn term at our local schools starting and staff and pupils.
For the House of Commons resitting.
For addicts, counsellors, residential centres and Churches working with those recovering.
For our local hospitals, local police and fire brigades.
For those who face temptation every day and choose freedom, strength and support.
For us to be free to make good choices and know a blessed day and peaceful night.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 6th September 2024
Yes there are some songs I repeat because I can never be reminded enough -He will hold us fast.

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast