Daily Devotional reflections

As we journey through these uncertain times, each day Sean will seek to post a thought or reflection, a Bible verse or a prayer.

Wednesday 24th June 2020

‘Give thanks!’

 

Today is a fine summers day and possibly one of the warmest. Looking out of my window I see blue skies and Swallows swooping past. If I were to open the patio doors, I would be feel a gentle breeze and be greeted with the sound of young Sparrows darting in and out of the tall hedge as they try and avoid our Westie, and in the background the song of Skylarks as they ascent high into the sky. It looks like it is going to be a wonderful day. For those of us who have faith, our natural instinct is to give thanks and praise. To thank God for the beauty of creation and praise Him for the gift and experiences of life. However, all is not well in the world.

At home there is the continued (but lessened) threat of Covid19. People have lost their jobs and businesses. For workers in the hospitality industry, the future is looking bleak. The financial impact of the lockdown has yet to hit us. Individuals not able to meet their rent or mortgage of finance payments. Coupled with massive government spending we are looking at higher taxes and a deeper recession. To this could be added the numerous and untold stories of pain and isolation caused by the lockdown. For those of us who have faith, our natural instinct is again to cling even closer to God and give Him praise.

BIBLE READING

Psalm 13

For the director of music. A psalm of David.
How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me
.

REFLECT

God has never promised that we will have an easy life, free of suffering and trouble. Just like everybody else, we feel grief and hurt and pain. But what God does promise is that he will never leave us, even if it feels like He is a million miles away. This is why worship is so important, even when our faith is shaken to its very core.

You could say that worship is always a choice. At times it’s an easy. Like looking out the window this morning, on a glorious summer day, it is easy to give thanks and praise. But when we are caught up in a whirlwind of suffering, it can be a hard choice to make. This is where faith comes in. To choose to worship God is saying that we believe God is with us even in the midst of the storm. To this could be added one further dimension.

To worship with praise and thanksgiving even when our hearts are breaking helps to keep hope alive. The hope that God is with us. The hope that God will come to help us and share our burden. The hope that His love transcends all our suffering. The hope that God will have the final word.

The following words, we found inscribed on the walls of a cell in a Nazi concentration camp.

I believe in the sun
Even when it is not shining.
I believe in love,
Even when I feel it not.
I believe in God
Even when He is silent.

(Quoted by David Pytches in his book Can Anyone Be a Leader, p.43)

Rev Sean Swindells
Cruden Parish Church

PRAYERS

Why are you downcast o my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God. (Ps. 42:5,11)

Remember me, oh God, during this time.
The winds are strong and the waters rising.
There is no light to see by, and
I’m having a hard time finding my bearings.
I trust that you’ve got me now even though I’m so afraid,
and frankly, I just don’t feel your presence,
and I really wonder where you are in all of this.
I remember, though, all of the times you have blessed me.
I recall all of the miracles—big and small—that you have worked for me.
You really have given me so much.
Help me to recognise your Divine presence,
In small blessings and miracles you work for me every day.
And give me patience as I wait to see again your light.
Amen.

Remember..
All those suffering from the impact of Covid19.
Those who mourn, those who feel anxiety and stress due to social isolation, those who worry about employment and finances.

Faithful God, we thank you
That you are present with us now
As we share in the life of the Risen Christ.
Continue to be present with us we ask.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God who inspires faith, we thank you
That you have been with us
In times of anxiety and uncertainty.
Keep watch over our memories of the past.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Faithful God, we thank you
That you will be with us
In the days that are to come.
Journey with us in the days that lie before us.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God who inspires faith, we thank you
For the life of your Son
Who for our sakes embraced human form.
May his life shape our lives in these present times.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Faithful God, we thank you
For the reassurance that you are merciful and gracious
And that your love abounds.
In your compassion, remember us and those whom we love.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God who inspires faith, we thank you
For the knowledge that you will be with us
In all that we now face.
Go before us and provide for us we ask.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer
Amen

Lord’s prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
you will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen

BLESSING

As you go from here,
may you experience God’s favour,
and rest in the peace that comes
from the One who is, who was,
and who is yet to come;
To him be glory and power,
forever and ever.
Amen.