Tag: Jesus keep me near the cross

Sunday 11th May 2025

“Again the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” 2 So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, “Now go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the number of the people.” 3 And Joab said to the king, “Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times more than there are, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king desire this thing?” 4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. Therefore Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to count the people of Israel. 5 And they crossed over the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the town which is in the midst of the ravine of Gad, and toward Jazer. 6 Then they came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi; they came to Dan Jaan and around to Sidon; 7 and they came to the stronghold of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and the Canaanites. Then they went out to South Judah as far as Beersheba. 8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. 9 Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to the king. ” 2 Samuel 24:10-14 NKJV

“Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it.”3 And Joab answered, “May the Lord make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?” 4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem. 5 Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. ” 1 Chronicles 21:1=4

God of Righteousness,

Same history different view. Samuel added all the details of places. He knew the sins of his people and he explains that You pushed David to count. The Chronicler omits the places and attributes the sin of counting to Satan.

It made me think how sometimes we blame Satan for things that were not him. Sometimes we feel You, God are against us. Sometimes life itself causes us trouble, or our circumstances. David, regardless of why he numbered Israel, felt condemnation as soon as it was done. (2 Samuel 24:10, 1 Chronicles 21:8). He prays. Perhaps he should have apologised to Joab and the Captains of the Army (leaders of the people) too, for over nine months they spent counting people!

Sometimes I have known that inner condemnation, as I have missed doing something You asked or when I have done something I wished I could undo. Words or actions done or not done. Then I understand the difference Jesus makes. I can be forgiven and try to put it right. David had to suffer the consequences. Sometimes we have to to – but with Your help. David still threw himself into Your mercy God, rather than mans. Keep us sensitive to Your promptings and repentant at the cross.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 11th May 2025
Timeless hymn

 Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.

Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.

Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby

Wednesday 22nd January 2025

“Judah, your brothers will praise you. You will grasp your enemies by the neck. All your relatives will bow before you. Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness – who dares to rouse him? 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor. 11 He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine. He washes his clothes in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. 12 His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.”
Genesis 49:8-12 New Lining Translation

God our promise keeper,

How we are blessed, encouraged and assured when we see the future in the past come true to Your word. Judah the family You placed Jesus into through Joseph, husband of Mary, who adopted him as his own firstborn. The royal sceptre passed down through Jacobs line to the King of Kings. It can never be taken away not even by death itself.

There as we travel through the Old Testament we see the picture of the King riding on a donkey the foal of a donkey as Jesus enters Jerusalem (Mark 11:7-10). The donkey symbolised – coming in peace and not war. Jesus came in peace and yet we killed Him. But he also came to war against our enemies of sin and death. I cannot watch gruesome war films but love the happy ever after endings. Lord it is hard to travel through the crucifixion but it is the only way we can truly know what it cost You. Keep us as it were journeying with You but always at the cross!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 23rd January 2025
Had to be this hymn which has stood the test of time. Says it all.


Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.

Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.

Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby

Saturday 7th September 2024

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The 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, Creator of all,

Forbidden fruit. I need to dwell on this another day Lord, because it is so simple and yet so profound. No complicated rules, just a no. You created all vegetation, seed-bearing plants and trees that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds on the third day. Everything could be eaten. But You put two special particular trees right in the middle of the garden. The tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Not the tree of life and the tree of death. The tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. With You it is always about our choice. Choose life and a choose no to being your own god. But with You there is always a way out! We all of us suffer even today from the consequences of that first wrong choice. And our own wrong decisions. But You still give us choice and the opportunity to change, to return and be redeemed in Jesus.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing is an old saying. How true – how we need Your Holy Spirit to help us knock down the strongholds of our human reasoning and destroy false arguments. To capture any rebellious thoughts and obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4,5). Come Holy Spirit, we give You permission to teach us what is good knowledge and what is good for us. Show us what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). And help us to be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God, Creator,

For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
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 those who make decisions that affect our nation in Parliament, finances and business.
For those who make decisions in local councils for our neighbourhood and locality.
For those who face temptation every day and choose freedom, strength and support.
For those whose suffer from mental health issues and find it hard to make good decisions.
For us to know delight in Jesus, the forgiveness and life he brings whatever our situation

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 7th September 2024
Worthy of a repeat appearance from 25th August. Another gentle traditional rendition . . .

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Shed His beams around me.

Refrain

Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Refrain

Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me. [Refrain

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby