29th June 2025

A Holy Day

 I was glad when they said unto me,

‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.'

Psalm 122:1

Today's Bible Reading: Isaiah 58:13-14.

Too often, we treat Sundays like just another day, falling prey to what some call “Sunday-excuses” — a mysterious illness that only seems to strike before church and vanish by lunchtime. Somehow, energy returns in time for lunch with friends, afternoon hobbies, or evening plans. But when it comes to gathering with God’s people, the joy and eagerness can feel strangely absent.

David didn’t see worship as a chore, but as a delight: “I was glad...” His heart leapt at the chance to be in God’s house. Sunday is not meant to be a day of excuses or half-hearted attendance. It’s a sacred rhythm—a weekly reminder to realign our hearts, to rest in His presence, and to rejoice with His people.

Let’s not come dragging our feet into worship, but running—grateful for the invitation to meet with our Lord. When we keep Sunday holy, we honour God and refresh our souls in ways no afternoon nap or weekend outing ever could.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Sundays, a day set apart for You. Help me come to worship with joy, not out of habit, but out of love. May Sunday be a delight, not a duty. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

28th June 2025

Afflictions

  We know that all things work together for good to those who love God . . .

     Romans 8:28

Today's Bible Reading: Romans 8:26-30.

We might never have had the hymns of Fanny Crosby had she not been afflicted with blindness. George Matheson would never have given the world his immortal song, “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” had it not been for his passing through the furnace of affliction. The “Hallelujah Chorus” was written by George Frederick Handel when he was poverty-stricken and suffering from a paralysed right side and right arm. Affliction may be for our edification and Christian development. Sickness is one of the “all things” which work together for good to those that love God. Do not resent it. Do not be embittered by it. But rather, allow God to use it to work through your life, and shine the love of Jesus into the world around you.

Prayer: You do not make mistakes, Father. If sorrow comes into my life, let me use it to help others know about You. In Jesus name. Amen.  

27th June 2025

In His Hands

In whose hand is the life of every living thing,

and the breath of all mankind?

     Job 12:10

Today's Bible Reading: Job 12:7-10.

When I glimpse a palette of vivid colours painted across the sky or take in the delicate design of a daffodil, I ponder God the Creator. Beauty can awe us as we see His imprint in nature. Even when we are in a city surrounded by a mass of concrete with no green in sight, we may hear the melodious birdsong and know that God is our Maker.

Job pointed to God as Creator not in wonder, but in what seems like exasperation. Job had been tested to the extreme by God, and his friends and their comments did not help him. Job responds to them that they should “ask the animals” or “let the fish in the sea” inform them “that the hand of the Lord has done this” (Job 12:7-9). Job was distraught by the trials that descended on him, and although he was troubled and confused by them, he remained convinced that God could be seen in His creation: “In whose hand is the life of every living thing  creature” (v 10).

This Old Testament story reminds me that when we gaze at a stunning sunset with tears streaming because of pain or some injustice, yet we can trust in God. Though we suffer now, one day He will welcome us to a place of no more tears and no more crying (Revelation 21:4). As we wait for that wonderful day, He will give us the strength to persevere, even as He did for Job.

Prayer: My Creator and Maker, in Your hand is the life and breath of every creature on this earth. Help me to wonder at Your creation and give thanks to You. In Jesus name. Amen.