“But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you blaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour;” Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV
Lord our Creator,
You formed us and more than that breathed life into us. And here You promised Your people Israel that if they would be true to You, You promised to redeem them. And we mread of the many occasions You did in the Old Testament.
Here You, Lord are speaking to Jacob and Israel, but underlying these are truths, realities spoken to us who trust in Christ as a part of the church – the people of God. We know that in this world we will have trouble and difficulty. It is different for all of us but these verse give us something to hold on to. You the God of the Universe know us and call us by name. And whatever we, I am going through You are with us, our shield and defender (Psalm 28:7).
What an awesome truth that You are personally with us in our daily challenges and trials and struggles. Helping us, holding us, loving us. Help this truth to soak in to us today.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Lord our Creator,
Keep our family, friends, neighbours, colleagues in the centre of Your care and shelter today. Reveal Yourself to those who do not really know You yet and continue to soften the hearts of those who have turned away. Meet the needs of those who are going through trouble or trials and touch those who need healing today.
Foe Ukraine we again plead for Your intervention and a path to peace. We pray for our world with so many places going through actual fire and flood. Yes, we ask that You would not only help those fighting the fires and trying to stem the floods, but that You would reach out and calm the weather systems causing them.
Help those passing through the trials of losing their homes. Comfort those who have lost loved ones. Provide for those who need places of safety, words of comfort and help and hope for the future.
In Jesus name we pray Amen.
Worship Wednesday 23rd August 2023
O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendour and girded with praise.|
O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.
The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old;
Established it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!
Lyrics: Robert Grant