“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 118:22-29 NKJV
Lord,
You give us every day new and we can rejoice as we awake and greet it, the Psalmist says in verse 24. Glad we are Yours. Continuing reading this Psalm for three days has revealed its simple yet profound truth and because it is so rich in displaying who You are. Traditionally, I have read, it was the one sung at the end of the Passover meal and the one Jesus sang with his disciples at the close of His last supper (Matthew 26:30).
In hindsight, unlike the Psalmist, we can see Jesus, Your Son, as the cornerstone which the builders rejected. Jesus quoted it himself about himself in Matthew 21:42. The psalmist goes on to picture the sacrifice being bound on the alter. We unlike the Pslamist see not animal sacrifices but Jesus the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Willing to lay down His life on the cross for our, my sin.
So today we give thanks for a fresh new day, for sin forgiven and because You are good and Your mercy endures forever.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord,
For our family, extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Sunday school teachers.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Royal family.
For Gaza, Middle East, solutions for peace for all. Break down hatred.
For Ukraine. Send a miracle, an end to war.
For the USA political situation.
For those facing difficult days, bereavement, medical challenges.
3 days to go. For Paris, the athletes, coaches and Olympian teams. Worldwide audiences.
For our emergency services, the NHS and those who keep water, energy and waste flowing.
For grandparents, guardians, carers, play schemes caring for children in school holidays.
For a day to remember to give thanks for Jesus, Your love and all the good things today. Even amid work, mundane tasks or challenges.
In Jesus name we pray.
Worship Tuesday 23d July 2024
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
And I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name
Repeat . . .
Christ alone, cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Saviour’s love
Through the storm
He is Lord, Lord of all
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
Christ alone, cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Saviour’s love
Through the storm
He is Lord, Lord of all
His is Lord, Lord of all
When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless, stand before the throne
Chorus
Lyrics: Edward Mote 1834
Chorus and new tune: Hillsong