Prayerfully
In 2025 I aim to pray my way chronologically (as it happened) through the Bible and listen for God.
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Forgive me and help me turn from everything I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay the price and set me free from my sin. Please come into my life, fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.”
“When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. 24 She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. 25 I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent. 26 “Now, my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, since the Lord has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies and those who try to harm you be as cursed as Nabal is. 27 And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. 28 Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles.” 1 Samuel 25:23-28 NLT
Lord of all,
How different Abigail’s response is to that of her husband. David requested help reasonably knowing that Nabal’s servants would have reported their good behaviour daily. Nabal we are told was a mean man. He could not even spare a cake of figs.
Abigail proved what the writer of proverbs tells us in 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” In the face of her husbands anger and David’s response she speaks words of wisdom and peace. Giving a genuine apology, not just words but, with actions proving her words.
Help us to recognise when we need to give a gentle answer and show our generosity. Not allowing meanness any room. To be able to stop and think before we respond in emotions and consider the words of our mouths. To speak life and hope and love where possible. It is one thing to speak up when hard truths need to be heard it is another to be able to speak gently when the situation calls for it. Help us to be an Abigail and not a Nabal.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 30th April 2025
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love
Where there is injury, Your pardon, Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in You
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of Your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life
Chorus
Repeat first verse.
Lyrics: Attributed to ST Francis of Assisi, adapter Sebastian Temple.
“David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. 3 Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 4 So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.” 1 Samuel 22:1-4 NKJV
Father God,
David was in trouble and in flight mode but he had time for others in the same situation. There was no trying to prove his troubles were bigger than theirs. No reciting his woes and not listening to theirs. He allowed them to come and join him and then he found somewhere better than a cave to keep them all safe together. Some of the who were also in danger from Saul, even his mother and father! Others who had made mistakes, misfits or those taken advantage of by Saul. David makes no judgements but gives then opportunity to stay under his protection.
Sometimes we find ourselves reciting our woes without realising others have their own and forget to listen to theirs. It is good to share with a friend for prayer and support but not to be a walking pity party. We need to be able to see and hear others. That is why You tell us to bring our worries to You so we can know You carry them for us (Matthew 11:28-30).
Help us to have grace to provide a place of safety and comfort for those around us even in tough times. We can only do it with Your help and strength. David wrote Psalm 57 at this time and it reminds us that he was weary (v6) but he could thank You, God for Your faithfulness and love (v10). Keep us from trouble but if it comes just keep us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 29th April 2025
I love this interpretation and tune.
Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high;
hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last!
Other refuge have I none;
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
Vile and full of sin I am,
Thou art full of truth and grace.
Musical interlude . . .
Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound;
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art;
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart,
rise to all eternity.
Lyrics: Charles Wesley
“So David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel at Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. 19 Now it was told Saul, saying, “Take note, David is at Naioth in Ramah!” 20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. 21 And when Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.” 1 Samuel 19:18-21 NKJV
God of the unjustly persecuted,
David has just escaped Saul because his wife Micah helped him (1 Samuel 19:12). I would probably have gone as far away as quickly as possible! When I reread this passage I find David does a wiser thing. He goes to a Godly man and stays for a while. He can look at his difficult and confusing situation knowing Samuel will not judge but take it to the Lord.
Three times Saul sent men to take David prisoner. Three times they are filled with Your Holy Spirit, God, and go home empty handed. They praised God and went home! Surely Saul must have realised he could not fight You! But then he comes himself. He prophesies even while on the way. Your Holy Spirit filling and enabling him to praise You. He even lays on the floor naked showing humility. He saw what he could become if he let go of the darkness, jealousy and murderous thoughts within him. That’s a fantastic exchange. You offered. But it was not taken.
Thank You that we can exchange all our hurt, shame, sin, darkness, for Your Holy Spirit of life and forgiveness because of Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). Help us recognise and respect those we can go to when we are confused or in difficulty who will seek Your face with us. Help us by Your Spirit, to let go of envy, jealousy, pride . . . Help us to praise in difficulty.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 28th April 2025
My Jesus, my Savior
Lord there is none like you
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love
My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of your hands
Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You
Lyrics: Daniel Jacobi, P. Eltermann, Darlene Joyce Zschech