“Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.” Proverbs 25:11 NLT
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 NLT
Almighty God,
Timely advice. Would be good to go back to give ourselves some when we were younger . . . that would have been golden. The Psalmist wanted to try to put a priceless value on perfectly timed advice. It could have just said, timely advice is like golden apples. Is he saying something about the value of the one who delivers it and how? Timely, not judgemental, not to intimidate or belittle.
Lord I know there have been times when I have not wanted to receive advice or someone has delivered it to make me feel stupid or themselves clever. It is not up to us to tell someone else what they should do! Advice is just that, advice.
James gives us a description of wisdom so we learn good content for golden advice. Is it pure, gentle, willing to yield if not accepted, full of mercy? Like Your wisdom – and Your advice. Who could refuse Your wisdom? Yet they do! Help us to recognise and receive Your wisdom. When it is for helpful for us to give advice, to give it humbly. To take advice, given by others, and weigh it before You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Almighty and merciful God,
For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. Local councillors
For Ukraine and Russia. For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. End to hostility and war.
For those making decisions in NHS management and for consultants advice to patients.
For Your wisdom to flow where parents, friends are called upon for advice.
For us to give encouraging advice and open to asking others to pray about our decisions.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Saturday 26th October 2024
Well known lyrics from another age still relevant, and beautiful. The words were taken from ‘The Poem Book of the Gael’ tr. Mary Elizabeth Byrne (1880-1931), edited by Eleanor Henrietta Hull (1860-1935).
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art –
thou my best thought, in the day or the night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word;
I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Be thou my battle shield sword for the fight;
be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower;
raise thou me Heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou, and thou only, be first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of Heaven, after victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun,
heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my Vision, O ruler of all.