There’s a wideness in God’s mercy

Tuesday 10th June 2025

“Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.” Song of Solomon 8:7 NKJ

“Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.” Song of Solomon 8:7 NLT

God who is love,

We say it and we sing it – God is love. And yet we cannot deny You are also Judge. And yet for all You see our sin and must judge us guilty for it . . . Your love for us, personally, intimately cannot be quenched.

Here Solomon talks about love. Not lustful love which burns out, not possessive love which suffocates and not blind love. But love that cannot be put out or bought. Jesus came and suffered once and for all for our sin and died. (1 Peter 3:18). He did not buy our love he offered us His in return for our sin. And a life of being loved fully by You God.

We all need to know we are loved. To know that belonging. We gain some of it via our friends and family. But there is something deeper, wider and everlasting about the love that God offers through Jesus, that Christless eyes can never see. Oh fill us with Your love Lord that we may have not just enough but plenty to keep us healthy and generous in sharing it with others in word and deed.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 10th June 2025
Last line of each verse says it all (Song of Solomon 2:6) The second hymn is because it kept going through my mind as I considered todays reading and brings me to tears in gratitude.

Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so.
Oh, this full and perfect peace!
Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.

Heaven above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh, to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His:
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heaven and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline;
But, while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.

Lyrics: George Wade Robinson

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
That is wider than the deepest sea
And so I know it covers even me.
There’s a depth to His compassion
That is deeper than I’ll understand
And so my life is safe within His hands.

His love is deep enough for me
To cause these blinded eyes to see
To set this lowly captive free from sin.
His grace is flowing from above
Reflected in the Saviour’s love
O precious Father help me take it in.

Geoff Baker
CD: Spring Harvest, Take Off Your Shoes, ICC.

Monday 10th March 2025

²There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. ³The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! ⁴Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? ⁵Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!” ⁶Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, ⁷and the Lord said to Moses, ⁸“You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” Numbers 20:2-8 NLT

Lord God,

Same old same old. No figs, grapes and pomegranates – oh and by the way no water again Moses! Still blaming Moses. Its hard when You are blamed for something You have not done and have shown God’s faithfulness in the same situation before.. But Moses again seeks the Lord with Aaron. It is always easier to serve You with others Lord! Again You give Moses instructions but it has different detail. You show us we need to listen as You do not always answer the same way.

But when we read on Lord, we hear Moses has lost his patience. His words echo annoyance calling them outright rebels. He even complains about always having to find water. And forgetting Your instructions he does what worked last time. He does not speak to the rock he strikes it. And You, God honour Him and still give water. But Moses finds out his rebellion costs him. He will see the promised land, but not enter it (Numbers 10:12).

Later, You, God showed us the power of Your Word. The Word that would become flesh and be our living water (John 7:37-39). Our water from You, our God, the Rock. And we see Your mercy as we see Moses standing with Jesus on the Mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:3). Looking forward to what Jesus would do to provide a way to You and the eternal promised land. You will have mercy where You will have mercy (Exodus 33:19, Romans 9:15).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 10th March 2025

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
that is wider than the greatest sea;
and so I know-it covers even me.
There’s a depth to his compassion
that is deeper than I’ll understand;
and so my life is safe within his hands.

His love is deep enough for me,
to cause these blinded eyes to see,
to set this lowly captive free from sin.
His grace is flowing from above,
reflected in the Saviour’s love-
O precious Father, help me take it in.

Lyrics: Geoff Baker
From the CD: Spring Harvest, Take Off Your Shoes, ICC.

Tuesday 16th July 2024

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged. ²But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1,2

God who sees all,

Thank You God, that You do not blink and miss anything. You see all our joys and smiles and all our sorrows and moans. You understand us like no-one else could or can. You also see when we do good and when we do not so good! And we are eternally and personally grateful that You show mercy to those who repent.

Today whatever happens help me pause in the nitty gritty of daily life. To smell the roses as the saying goes. To reflect on Your endless mercy and encouragement. To clear and cleanse my conscience. Sometimes the enemy sneaks in with condemnation and needs silencing. Shame (worrying me about past sins), anxiety (worrying me about what may never happen), cynicism (looking down instead of to You), negativity (denying You opportunity) or just weariness (trying to do too much) . . .

I have renounced shameful things, walked the best I can, trusted in Your Word. I have not always proclaimed Your truth. Were there things I could have said and didn’t? Help me Lord to goon doing my best and forgive the rest.

Help us be honest with ourselves, show us what we can and can’t do. Wrap us in Your rich, deep mercy so we will never loose heart. And we have time to enjoy the aroma of Your Love in Christ.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God who sees,

For our family, friends, neighbours.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For all those preparing for the Paris Olympics. Behand the scenes and athletes.
For Gaza, Middle East, solutions for peace for all.
For Ukraine. Send a miracle, an end to war.
For prison chaplains, drug and relationship councillors.
For those dabbling in tarot cards, ouija boards, speaking to the dead, Your Light.
For those who have lost any of their senses, sight, smell, taste, hearing.
Those who find touch difficult through autism or abuse.
For us to find those moments of just pausing with You throughout or day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 16th July 2024