Faith in times of Crisis

BY DR J P HUNTER

Psalm 90:1-2, 4, 10,12-17. New International Version (NIV) - A prayer of Moses the man of God.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Relent, Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendour to their children. May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

Meditation 

Moses is the author of this Psalm, making this the oldest of all Psalms. At the beginning of a new year, Moses reminds us that a thousand years are like a day to God. God exists outside of time, is not limited by time like we are and does not have our limitations. God is completely unrestricted by time, is eternal, therefore we can depend on him for this day and the whole year to come, never mind lockdown.

Realising that our time is limited, helps us to use that time more wisely and for eternal good, that is by serving Him. What small step could I take this day, this week, towards that purpose? Is it to sing a heartfelt hymn of praise, is it to read from His Word, is it to pray for those in need and for myself? Will it be a phone call to a friend, or a note or e mail of thanks or affection? Will it be to say Thank You to God?

Prayer

Lord, at he beginning of this new year, I thank you for guiding me and my family through the year gone by. I pray that you as my eternal Father, unrestricted by time, will also guide me through the year to come. Even if this new year starts with a lockdown, a mere stormy blast to You. And as this dark winter will have gone, we will see light again, like as a rising sun, as we will be able to embrace our loved ones once again. Until that day arrives, with your help, I will do what I can to praise and Thank You. Amen.

Singing the Faith, Hymn 132, verse 1,4

O God, our help in ages past                          

Our hope for years to come                              

Our shelter from the stormy blast                  

And our eternal home                                       

A Thousand ages in thy sight

Are like an evening gone,

Short as the watch that ends the night

Before the rising sun.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748).

Epiphany Journey

Wednesday 6th January Matthew 2:7-9 “Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.”

A traditional picture of the Magi or Wise Men might show three of them. What seems significant is that it is a story of travelling together, no matter what the number. It may also be helpful to reflect on the many people who have crossed our path in life, and especially those who have walked with us in our faith journey.

It is through the quality of our relationships that we grow and change. It is here that the heart learns generosity or else can get hurt. It is here hopefully that our Magi-like journey towards God finds human nourishment. If we experience understanding and acceptance in friendships, we are more open to believing in the acceptance of a loving God. Just as the Magi travelled in companionship, so do we. Our prayer in preparation for Christmas can start from this aspect of our lives, and it can unfold in three moments – as an exercise in memory, in healing and in gratitude. In each of these dimensions you can re-read your story prayerfully, seeking to recognise God at work in our many human situations through the years.

A Prayer: Lord God, you call your people to tasks we would not ourselves choose. Give us the grace to love you enough to follow when you call.  You know our weakness and have promised to give resources for that which you ask of us. We praise you for your generous care. Like Samuel, let us say "Here I am." God of surprising light, here we are together.  

We are surrounded, O God, with people who need to hear the story, people who need to meet the one from Nazareth, Jesus our Lord.  Make our places of worship places of hospitality and welcome.  Make our words and actions, words and actions of invitation. Like Philip, let us say, "Come and see." God of surprising light, here we are together.    Amen

Epiphany Journey

Tuesday 5th January Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

In the second chapter of Matthew’s gospel we are told that they had “seen his star in the East and had come to worship” a new-born king. Therefore their journey began with a moment of wonder. They may have been astronomers or astrologists, who saw plenty of stars but this one seemed different. 

They interpreted it as a sign of special newness, which caused them to set out on a long search. In other words this story begins with a new light shining and awakening their desire.

What star, so to speak, stirs your desire this year? What new light invites you out of yourself? Our epiphany journey of prayer is one way of being faithful to the light that calls us. In fact this story begins with a call, a light from beyond ourselves. First, we need to pause and recognise that light. Then we need courage to let it awaken our desire. And thirdly, that desire may lead to movement, to a movement of fidelity to the light.

A Prayer: Emmanuel -  Give us the perseverance and courage to seek out and approach you wherever you are to be found; Grant us the vision and understanding  to see and recognise you  whenever we might meet you; Gift us the grace and generosity  to respond freely and fully whatever you might ask of us. Amen

Epiphany Journey

Monday 4th January Isaiah 60:1-6 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.”

The wise men brought some pretty weird gifts for a new-born baby. Surely a blanket or baby-grow would have been more use? Perhaps, a proper bed?

But the wise men brought what they had, and that’s all anyone can do. We also, can bring to God what we have. We may look at some famous Christian ‘super-saints’ and think, “I couldn’t do that. I don’t have their gifts.” That’s OK, you’re not supposed to.

God knows what your gifts are and he’s not expecting you to use someone else’s. So on this day when we remember the gifts that the wise men brought, what gifts will you bring?

A Prayer: God of Time and Space,

You are not bound by calendars, 

day timers, PDA’s and watches,

teach us to not be bound by them either.

God of the stars, the heavens, 

the planets and their orbits,

you sent a star to guide the Magi 

on their journey to the Christ Child,

Send your star to guide us 

on journeys of faith.

God of Creation, 

your word spoke creation into being,

you sent your son 

as the light into a world of darkness,

God may your word still speak to us today,

May your son still be the light in our worlds of darkness.

God, our dark world is a hotbed of fighting, pollution, starvation, and homelessness. 

Teach to once again be stewards of your earth.

Bring forth you peace in the midst of the battles. 

May there be plenty for those who are starving.

May there be homes for those without homes.

And just as the Magi brought gifts to the Christ Child

may we bring gifts to the Christ Child again. Amen

Online Worship for Sunday 3rd January

 Here is the link to the online worship at St Nicholas Methodist Church Topsham 030121

https://youtu.be/mEhfqnqnjo8

Saturday 2nd January

James 3:13-18

James reminds us today that where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Sure enough, all the envy and selfish ambition leads folk to lives that are filled with chaos and sinful choices.

Instead, James counsels us today to find true wisdom in that one simple concept:  Humility.

This kind of wisdom comes from heaven and is inspired by our gracious God in heaven. It is wisdom motivated by a Saviour who humbled himself to live and die for us. It is wisdom that leads us to be humble before others and serve them in love. It is wisdom 

Heavenly Father, help me to live a quiet life of humility and love. Keep me from the temptations of desiring the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Help me to continually see that only in your love and grace will I find true happiness and peace. I humbly pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Friday 1st January

Read - Revelation 21:1-6

In the New Testament the word for “throne” shows up 62 times, including 47 times in the book of Revelation. This is a book of thrones, crowns, kings, ruling, and reigning. Some evil figures sit on or claim thrones, but the throne of God is the source of unmatchable power and judgment—and at the same time it is the centre of glorious worship.

Much of the book of Revelation depicts struggle and chaos unleashed on the earth, yet we always see this guiding image: the throne is not empty. Jesus, the one seated on the throne, is both tremendously powerful but also incomparably loving. On the throne of God is the Lord Almighty, the King of kings, who is also the Saviour of the world. And he says, “Look! . . . I am making everything new!”

Gracious God, you have promised to make all things new: restore peace where there has been hatred, reduce tension where there has been anger, rekindle friendship where there has been enmity, relieve suffering where there has been violence and recreate a united nation; for the good of the people and for the peace of the world. In Christ's name. Amen