“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:9,10
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NLT
Father of all comfort,
On wet, damp September days we shudder at the thought of extra jumpers, the cost of fuel, icy roads and socks warming on radiators. We are reminded not to worry about tomorrow!
But there are days spiritually when we do not want to be challenged by Your word, though we may need it. We do not want to learn new songs or struggle through a difficult passage of scripture. We just want to pause, be held and reminded how much You love us.
Isaiah’s times were perilous, there was war rumours of war. Food was often short or costly and not everyone was neighbourly. And they did not have TV and the radio to tell them exactly what was happening.
So today we thank You for the comfort verses that reassure us, enfold us and remind us that You are our God, You keep Your promises, proven in Jesus. Like a parent You take us by the hand and lead us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Father of all comfort,
We pray that our friends and family will know Your comfort and Your leading. That You will take them by the hand and let them know the assurance of being loved, wanted and planned for. Meet there needs for today in mind, body and Spirit.
We continue to ask for You to change the situation in Russia and Ukraine so that there can be an end to war, conflict and oppression. Bless Your church, the people who know and love You in both countries. Give them words of faith, encouragement and a voice.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 19th Sept 2023
I heard this sung at a church I was visiting recently and it touched me with a deep assurance.
He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes ‘mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Lyrics: Dr. Joseph Gilmore
When Dr. Joseph Gilmore of New Hampshire had just graduated from Newton Theological Seminary, and he served as a supply minister for a couple of Sundays in 1862 in the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia. For a midweek service, he planned to do an exposition of Psalm 23. As he began preparing his message, he got no further than, “He leadeth me…” Gilmore felt that the words take hold of him, and seemed to have special significance. In his message he emphasized that it doesn’t matter how or where God leads us, as long as we are sure that He is. A few people lingered to discuss of the message. Dr. Gilmore says: “Then and there, on a blank page of the brief from which I had intended to speak, I pencilled the hymn, talking and writing at the same time. I handed it to my wife and thought no more about it.” Mrs. Gilmore sent the poem to a Boston paper, where it was printed. In 1865 Dr. Gilmore learned his words had been set to music by William Bradbury. Gilmore said later, “I went to Rochester to preach as a candidate before the Second Baptist Church. Going into their chapel… I picked up a hymnal to see what hymns they sung, and opened it at my own hymn, He Leadeth Me.