Words of Life - January 2016

The Bible Day by Day January 2016

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Copyright © 2015 e General of e Salvation Army

ISBN 978-0-85412-993-5e-book ISBN 978-0-85412-994-2

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Writer: Major Beverly IvanyProject editors: Major Trevor Howes, and Paul Mortlock

Cover design: Jooles Tostevin

Unless indicated otherwise, Scripture quotations are taken frome Holy Bible, New International Version–UK.

Copyright © 1979, 1984 by Biblica, formerly International Bible Society.Anglicised edition first published in Great Britain in 1979

by Hodder & Stoughton, an Hachette UK company.Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored ina retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the

prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in anyform of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and

without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

e Salvation Army policy is to use papers that are natural, renewableand recyclable products and made from wood grown in sustainable forests.

e logging and manufacturing processes are expected to conform tothe environmental regulations of the country of origin.

Published by Salvation Bookse Salvation Army International Headquarters

101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH, United Kingdom

www.salvationarmy.org

Printed and bound in the UK by Page Bros Ltd, Norwich NR6 6SA

Abbreviations

CEB Common English Bible © 2009 Common English Bible by ChristianResources Development Corporation, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

ESV English Standard Version © 2001 Crossway Bibles, Good NewsPublishers, Wheaton, Illinois, USA.

GNB Good News Bible © 1992 American Bible Society, New York, USA.HCSB Holman Christian Standard Bible © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009

Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. All rightsreserved.

JB Jerusalem Bible © 1985 Darton, Longman & Todd, London, England.KJV King James Version © 1929 B.B. Kirkbride Bible Co, Indianapolis,

Indiana, USA.MSG e Message, Eugene H. Peterson © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000,

2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group, Colorado, USA.

NKJV New King James Bible © 1982 by omas Nelson, Inc, Nashville,Tennessee, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

NLT New Living Translation © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 Tyndale HouseFoundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc,Carol Stream, Illinois, USA. All rights reserved.

NLV New Life Version © 1969 Christian Literature International,Oregon City, USA.

NRSV New Revised Standard Version Bible © 1989, 1995 the Division ofChristian Education of the National Council of the Churches ofChrist in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

SASB e Song Book of e Salvation Army © 2015 e General ofe Salvation Army.

From the writer of Words of Life

e Power of Prayer

Happy New Year! I trust you are anticipating a year full of new adventures andopportunities. ank you for choosing Words of Life to use as an aid for your

devotional time with the Lord. I pray it will be a blessing to you, and that it willdaily encourage your heart, soul and spirit.

During 2016 we are looking at the overall theme of prayer; this edition focuseson ‘e Power of Prayer’. In the New Testament we discover the power prayer canbring to everyday life – especially as, together, we pray through the Lord’s Prayerin what hopefully will be a beneficial series.

In the Old Testament we will explore the middle chapters of Genesis and thenplunge straight into Leviticus, which centres on God’s holiness. From there weobserve Moses’ words in the central section of Deuteronomy, before delving intothe Book of Judges.

As usual, on Saturdays we look at either a psalm or verses from Proverbs,while Sundays are given over to reflecting on a song from our Salvation Armysong book (the number references being from the new 2015 edition). Our guestwriter, Colonel Henrik Andersen, leads us into the Easter season as we spendtime ‘Walking with Jesus’.

How important is our daily prayer life? Do we spend a good amount of timesimply dwelling in God’s presence? Is it vital for our everyday life – to be inconstant communion with God? Yet do we ever find it hard to pray? Jesus gave hisdisciples a model prayer to use when praying. It no doubt helped them greatly.And this same prayer is for us as well. It offers us a way of approaching God byhonouring him, making our requests known, and ensuring our hearts are in theright place as we speak to our Father – giving him the glory he deserves.

May God richly bless us all as we come before him, daily, in prayer anddevotion!

Beverly A. IvanyToronto, Canada

2 Praying Like Jesus

Friday 1 January MATTHEW 5:13-16

A Brand New Year!‘Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good worksand give glory to your Father in heaven’ (v 16 NRSV).

Welcome to another new year. What do the next 12 months hold foreach of us? We can think of the year ahead as a clean sheet of paper.

What will be written on it? What picture will be drawn – and with whatcolours? Are we excited about it, feeling the anticipation for the numerouspossibilities? I hope so. For no matter what the year brings, we have theassurance that God is with us.

Sometimes, sadly, we just move from year to year, month to month, dayto day, not expecting very much. For we can think that whatever we do, orsay, goes unnoticed; our existence has no real meaning. Life just happensand we move along with it. We might wonder what our purpose is all about;why we’re even here.

When Johann Sebastian Bach wrote the St Matthew Passion, a four-houroratorio, it was given a handful of performances in his lifetime. It did not goover well at all, so was put to rest. In fact, it was not performed again for100 years. In 1829 Felix Mendelssohn obtained a copy of it from his teacher– he had supposedly bought the original manuscript from a cheesemerchant who used worthless manuscript pages to wrap cheese! Today, thiswork is probably considered the greatest choral work ever written inGerman. But it took 100 years to be noticed and celebrated.

ink about what impact a simple kind word or a note of encouragementwill have on another person. Even a smile for a stranger can make their day.It might take years to ever know the effect our life has on others – or we maynever know this side of Heaven. But God knows, and sees our heart. So let uspray that this year will be filled with much joy, grace, and many blessings aswe strive to bless others and, most of all, bless our Lord!

PrayerLord, I want to be open to all you have for me. Help me make the most ofevery day, and every opportunity this year I pray.

The Gift of the Psalms 3

Saturday 2 January PSALM 51

Cleanse MeCleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall bewhiter than snow (v 7).

David sinned: envy; lust; adultery; murder. He was dirty. Filthy. He longedto be washed clean. oroughly cleansed. Not just because of his sin with

Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. Not simply because he was‘caught out’. He wanted God’s forgiveness and restoration – because Davidloved God deeply.

When we take our sin seriously, asking God to forgive and restore us, hedeals with us in a gentle way. He sees our heart’s intention, that we are neverwanting to cause God grief again.

Sin is a virus – a destructive condition in opposition to God’s will forour well-being. It can get into our system, messing us up. To remove the‘virus’ we need to find a cleansing – which only God can provide. He wantsus to seek forgiveness: from God himself, and from those we have harmedin any way. We must desire a heart that is pure, a spirit that seeks to be rightbefore God:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me(v 10).

We then need ‘joy’ (v 12) to be restored, in order to move forward in life.Also a ‘willing spirit’ (v 12) to keep us going – open and receptive to all Godhas in store for us in the days to come.

Once forgiven, once cleansed, we can then sing God’s praises:

O LORd, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise (v 15).

Yes, we are then able to sing about the transformation that has takenplace in our life. But even more than this, we long to sing of Jesus Christ –and tell others about him. So, right now, may the Spirit bring to mind ahymn, song or refrain – so we can praise God for cleansing us and makingus ‘whiter than snow’ (v 7).

Listen. Can you hear the praises being lied up to God around theworld? Amazing!

4 Songs of the Heart

Sunday 3 January PSALM 86:1-12

Father, Let me Dedicate this New YearI will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify yourname for ever (v 12).

We are now into the new year, and there’s a real sense of freshness tosuch a beginning. Again we might ask: What does God have in store?

Who will journey with us this year? How will everything unfold? Before ourminds start racing, we must pause – bringing ourselves before AlmightyGod – and dedicate the year to him:

Father, let me dedicate is new year to thee,In whatever worldly state ou wilt have me be;Not from sorrow, pain, or care Would I ask that thou shouldst spare;is alone shall be my prayer, Glorify thy name.

(SASB 581 v 1)

Englishman Lawrence Tuttiett was ordained in 1848 and loved to writehymns. e song for today speaks of praising God’s name, no matter whathappens in life. For whatever comes our way, we can still – as God’s people –glorify the name of the Lord:

If in mercy thou wilt spare Joys that yet are mine,If on life serene and fair Brighter rays may shine,Let my glad heart, while it sings, Rise by faith’s exultant wings,And, whate’er the future brings, Glorify thy name.

(v 2)

Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? You might want to add tothat list the importance of giving glory to the Lord’s name on a daily basis –shown by how we speak and act.

And so, on this first Sunday of 2016, let us join our voices from aroundthe world in singing the refrain of this great song:

y great name! y great name!Let my life, O Lord, each day Glorify thy name.

Obedience 5

Monday 4 January GENESIS 11:27–12:9

New Beginningsese are the family records of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor,and Haran, and Haran fathered Lot (v 27 HCSB).

Today’s Scripture passage gives us a fresh start. Previously in Genesis wehave read about Creation, including the Garden of Eden. Paradise! But

everything changed with the Fall – man and woman wanting to be in controlof their own destiny. e disobedience continued, and soon there waswickedness everywhere. With Noah came the Flood. A cleansing. But notlong aer, people wanted to make a name for themselves (11:4), so they builtthe Tower of Babel. ings had gone very wrong in the world.

God desired new beginnings, so he called a man named Abram:

e LORd said to Abram: Go out from you land, your relatives, and yourfather’s house to the land that I will show you (12:1 HCSB).

I don’t know about you, but I like to know what is ahead of me. To have aplan; to know what’s in store. If I feel God is calling me to something, Iusually ask him what’s involved – how much time is required; what theexpectations are; what risks are involved. Sometimes he lets me know, butoen I hear nothing back. It is then up to me whether or not I will followthings through. Oen I do exercise my faith. Sadly, at times, I let God down– failing to trust him; failing to be obedient.

Abram was 75 years old! God doesn’t just call young people. He calls usall – at any age, at all times. Abram was called to move to an unknownlocation. To pack his bags, then trust God completely for the days that layahead. e good news is this: God promised Abram he would be with himand would bless him.

PrayerLord, help me to listen and to hear your voice, then be obedient. I trustyou, Father, knowing you will be with me and will bless me!

6 Obedience

Tuesday 5 January GENESIS 12:10–13:7

Downs and UpsNow there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt tolive there for a while because the famine was severe (12:10).

Abram le all he knew. Along with Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, hemoved forward into unknown territory. Obedience. For God had made

a covenant with Abram, telling him he would become a great nation throughhis descendants. All seemed well, until along the way he encountered afamine.

Scripture tells us he headed ‘down’ to Egypt to find food. In the Bible,Egypt seems to appear as a symbol for bondage. Abram went his own way,failing to trust God for direction and guidance when things got rough. Doesthis sound familiar? Testing times come; and when they do, we oen stepout on our own. We think we know what is best, rather than taking ourconcerns to the Lord in prayer. Abram turned away from God’s leading, bygoing ‘down’.

When things get off track for us, usually more problems arise – as theydid for Abram. He told his wife:

‘Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and mylife will be spared because of you’ (12:13).

Lies. Deception. Schemes. Great risks – even for others. Abram, this manof great faith and obedience, took things into his own hands – withdisastrous results. But he soon came to his senses, going ‘up’ to where Godwanted him to go:

So Abram went up from Egypt… (13:1).

Let us never be tempted to go ‘down’– failing to be obedient to God.Rather, to go ‘up’– looking to Jesus for guidance and direction. He willalways be faithful to us. Will we choose to be faithful to him?

PrayerHelp me to be faithful, Lord – for great is your faithfulness!

Obedience 7

Wednesday 6 January GENESIS 14

Prisoner of Warey also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since hewas living in Sodom (v 12).

Former Salvation Army General Arnold Brown wrote a compelling bookabout a Chinese Salvationist officer, Major Yin Hung-shun, who became

a prisoner of war in his native country. In the early 1950s – and for 30 yearsto follow – Yin had to hide his faith under the banner of Communism.

Brown writes of Yin: ‘It was the end of his 34 years as a Salvation Armyofficer, but not the end of that discipleship into which Chiu Shih Chun [eSalvation Army] had introduced him. at would never end. Even if hecould not pray openly; even if he could not kneel to pray, his comfortingcommunion with God could continue, and would!’1

ere was conflict in the land where Abram settled. His nephew, Lot, hadle him to settle in the wicked city of Sodom. Because of various kingscraving for more territory, war was declared – the first war recorded inScripture. As a result, Lot was taken a prisoner of war. Abram loved hisnephew, even though Lot had made some poor choices. So Abram gatheredtogether a group of untrained men to go and fight with him – to get hisnephew back. Because God was with him, he was victorious!

en something spectacular – and, to us, perhaps mysterious –happened. Abram was met by Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of GodMost High, who blessed Abram. It was a preincarnate appearance of theliving embodiment of Christ – Saviour of the world; Saviour of us all.

For those who are held captive as prisoners of war, like Major Yin, weoffer our prayers for protection and eventual freedom. For those held inspiritual captivity – by sin, addictions, oppression, or any other kind ofaffliction – we pray for the freedom that is only possible by God’s grace.

PrayerFather, keep me faithful to you, no matter what I face in days to come.And help me to show others that their chains can be broken, and that allpeople can be set free – through Jesus Christ!


Thursday 7 January DEUTERONOMY 4:1-14

e Mystery of PrayerWhat other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the waythe LORd our God is near us whenever we pray to him? (v 7).

Many people pray. People of all faiths, all ages, all racial backgrounds. Itis such a common thing, to pray. Yet how mysterious it is! ere are

sceptics, those who are cynical when it comes to the topic of prayer. eatheist denies that there is anyone listening. e agnostic really does not careabout prayer at all.

Why then do millions of men and women, boys and girls, still take partin this activity of prayer, each and every day? We don’t understand it; wecan’t comprehend how God listens to all prayers. Yet somehow prayer bringsstrength, comfort, assurance. Many of us could not exist without it.

Of course, we are elated when prayers are answered; but we can becomedisillusioned when prayers are seemingly not answered. It can cause doubt:Does prayer really work? Is there someone listening, always? Does prayermake a difference?

Moses prayed. King David prayed. e prophets all prayed. Jesus, Son ofGod, prayed. All these prayers had an impact – on themselves, upon others.Mysterious! And the conclusion we must come to? Prayer does work, and wecan’t live without it.

Over the next few weeks we explore together the mystery of prayer, andspecifically focus on e Lord’s Prayer. So may I pray for all of us as we openour hearts to hear from God:

Dear Father God, prayer is a mystery. Yet we know you listen toevery prayer of every believer. You want us to pray, for this enables usto commune with you in such an intimate way. We desire, O Lord, thatour prayer life be richer, deeper. Help us all to enjoy fellowship withyou daily, through prayer. All this we ask in the name of the Father, theSon and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Praying Like Jesus 9

Friday 8 January PSALM 86

Why Pray?Hear my prayer, O LORd (v 6).

Prayer brings us into God’s presence. We have heard this said many timesbefore. But have we ever really stopped to think about such a statement?

We oen might whip off a prayer – rushing to an appointment, or to meetsomeone important. We say a blessing over a meal quickly, because we don’thave much time to eat. When something goes well, we say ‘thanks’ to God –then get on to the next thing on our list. We make a fast prayer whensomething is going wrong – hopefully to change the outcome.

Yet when we pray – long prayers or shorter ones – do we stop longenough to take in that we are speaking with the Creator of the universe? eOne who formed each one of us in the womb; God, who knows beginning toend, and who loves us all so intimately. God, who only wants the very bestfor us as he listens to our prayers – every one of them. Truly awesome! Alsovery humbling.

Why pray? Because there’s something innate within us that longs toconnect with the One who made us. To talk with God about anything andeverything. To commune with the One who loves us so deeply. We want topray to God out of reverence, respect, honour; to tell him how much wetruly love him.

If you are anything like me, you will agree that we don’t pray enough. Weare so busy in our own little world that we somehow squeeze God out. It’sunreal that we do this, when you stop to think about it. We don’t want tobother him with the little things – trying to figure them out on our own.And when it comes to the big things, we usually do pray – but not enough.God wants to hear from us, all day long. Telling him how much we love hiscreation. anking him for food and shelter. Asking him to bless our day.

Why pray? Because we must. We cannot live without prayer, for it is ourspiritual oxygen; our very life. Prayer gives us strength, courage, hope, peace.Communing with the Triune God is like nothing else. And so, let us pray toAlmighty God right now.

10 The Gift of the Psalms

Saturday 9 January PSALMS 52 AND 53

WordsYour tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor … You loveevery harmful word, O you deceitful tongue! (52:2, 4).

Words can build someone up; encourage; bring comfort; edify. But theycan also tear down; crush; cause sorrow; destroy. Words are powerful!

For the good; for the bad. Bringing joy; causing grief.French photographer Pierre Maraval travels the world shooting portraits

of a thousand people within a given community. In order to get theirportrait taken, an individual must describe themself using only one word –then hold up their word, written on a card, as the photo is taken. efollowing are words chosen by individuals in one such community:

Loyal Considerate Optimistic DreamerSteadfast Exuberant Reliable ResourcefulDynamic Persistent Ready CreativeDetermined Spiritual Intuitive Dynamic

If you were asked to hold up one word, summing up who you are, whatwould it be? Let us pause for a moment to think about this (perhaps evenwriting our word on a piece of paper)…

David speaks against people who use terrible language – hurtful wordsthat tear others apart. For words can do such damage. And once words areout there, we cannot retrieve them. Rather, we are to use words that arehelpful, bringing out the best in others.

Psalm 53 continues the theme, outlining words that cause God grief:

e fool says in his heart, ‘ere is no God’ (v 1).

ese are the people who need to hear of God’s love. By the words wespeak, his light can shine through into their hearts and minds – enablingthem to see who God is and the amazing change he can make in their lives.

May God give us words to help point others to the living Word – whobecame flesh for us so we can live with him, for ever!

Songs of the Heart 11

Sunday 10 January 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18

I Want the GiFor we are the temple of the living God (v 16).

Charles Wesley, the 18th of 19 children born to Samuel and SusannahWesley, lived in the 18th century and was trained at Oxford to be an

Anglican minister. He was a preacher, leader, theologian – also a prolifichymnwriter, penning more than 8,000 hymns. Today, we look at one ofthem:

I want the gi of power within, Of love, and of a healthful mind;Of power to conquer inbred sin, Of love to thee and all mankind,Of health that pain and death defies,Most vigorous when the body dies.

(SASB 708 v 1)

Charles packed so much truth into the lyrics of his hymns. He wantedthose who sang them to reach deep within – seeking God above all things –and to know that we are, indeed, the temple, the ‘home’, the ‘loved abode’ ofGod’s Holy Spirit:

O that the Comforter would come! Nor visit as a transient guest,But fix in me his constant home And take possession of my breast,And fix in me his loved abode,e temple of indwelling God.

(v 3)

In the final verse we read of the ‘seal’ of God’s love, the ‘stamp’ upon ourlives as believers. It is the ‘signature of love divine’ written on our heart thatwe all long for in life – ‘fullness of love’; being one with God Almighty. So,let’s join our voices in singing or reading aloud these words as our unitedcommitment to him:

Where is the sure, the certain seal at ascertains the Kingdom mine?e powerful stamp I long to feel, e signature of love divine;O shed it in my heart abroad,Fullness of love, of Heaven, of God!

12 Obedience

Monday 11 January GENESIS 15

Dark Night of the SoulWhen the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking brazier witha blazing torch appeared (v 17).

Life is hard sometimes. We might even experience a ‘dark night of thesoul’. e phrase comes from a classic of the 16th century with the same

title, written by the Spanish poet St John of the Cross. e workacknowledges that many people experience extremely tough times in life. YetGod is with us, and we enter into a deeper love and faith in Christ – for hethen brings us into his wonderful light.

Abram had a ‘dark night of the soul’ experience. He had fears, notknowing how generations would be blessed since he had no heir. And he haddoubts, uncertain about the Promised Land being his:

‘LORd, how can I know that I shall gain possession of it?’ (v 8)

When these times of great uncertainty and even darkness come to any ofus, it’s time to go back to our calling in Christ. To know what brings us truejoy; to know what we are called to do in order to bring this joy to others.American author Frederick Beuchner writes: ‘e place God calls you to is theplace where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.’2 It’s thatplace of intersection where we find great fulfilment in meeting the needs ofothers. A place that brings us out of that ‘dark night’, knowing God is with us.

at place of intersection happened for Abram – bringing him fromdarkness to light – when God covenanted with him:

On that day the LORd made a covenant with Abram (v 18).

Whether or not we are presently experiencing a ‘dark night of the soul’, letus be certain of our calling in Christ – a calling which brings us deepgladness, and helps meet the needs of the world’s deep spiritual hunger. Forit’s then that we are brought into God’s marvellous light!

Obedience 13

Tuesday 12 January GENESIS 16

DetoursNow Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had anEgyptian maidservant named Hagar (v 1).

Sometimes detours are forced upon us; perhaps when driving a car,compelling us to take a different route. But detours can happen in life

itself – when we must take another course, due to various circumstances thathave come our way. Yet, from time to time we choose to take a detour. Ratherthan go along a certain path, we decide to go in a different direction to seewhat might be down another road. However, if the detour takes us awayfrom God’s plan for us, it can be very dangerous – perhaps devastating.

Abram and Sarai took a detour that affected their marriage, their homelife, and eventually impacted the world at large. e effects are still felt todayin what journalists call ‘the Arab-Israeli conflict’.

Abram was 85 years old. He knew God had promised his descendantswould be blessed through him. Yet he had no children, and Sarai was veryold – no spring chicken! His wife came up with a plan. Abram would sleepwith Hagar, their servant, in order to produce a child. By taking things intotheir own hands, they were failing to trust God. In time, Hagar gave birth toIshmael. But he was not God’s promised child. e ‘detour’ Abram and Saraitook – and the lack of faith they showed – did not please God.

Have we ever taken detours we have later regretted? Somehow we thinkwe can speed things up, or can come up with a better plan. Nothing is rightwhen we go our own way – away from what God has planned for us. It’s allabout faith and trust. Will we commit to staying on the right path? For ourown sake, the sake of others – and most of all, for God’s sake.

ActionAs we drive or walk today, let’s take note of any ‘detour’ signs. May theybe reminders that we must always stay on the right path God has for eachof us. It’s a path that will bring us ultimate joy and deep satisfaction.

14 Obedience

Wednesday 13 January GENESIS 17

Names‘No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for Ihave made you a father of many nations’ (v 5).

At the time of writing, I have seven little grandchildren under the age ofsix: Kieran, Aiden, Liam, Brennan, Sadie, Sammy and Max. I love them

– and love their names! For when I hear them, the images of their facescome before me. And Grandma’s heart melts! I guess many of you canidentify with this – whether you’re a parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt.

Today we have four significant names presented to us:God Almighty (v 1). e Hebrew is El Shaddai – and here is the first time

this name appears in the Bible. God wanted Abram to know he wasall-powerful – ‘Almighty’. He could make anything happen, even a womanbeyond childbearing years to conceive.

Abraham (v 5). When God appeared to him, Abram ‘fell face down’ (v 3).He reminded Abram of the covenant made with him. God then went on totell him he would have a new name: Abraham – to be the father of manynations.

Sarah (v 15). God told Abraham that his wife – Sarai – was also to havea new name: Sarah. She would be blessed by God and would give Abrahama son.

Isaac (v 19). e son’s name was given by God because:

‘I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for hisdescendants aer him’ (v 19).

Right now, let us thank God for our own name. en, ask God what hewants from us. Maybe he desires that we comfort someone in pain; orperhaps bring encouragement to a certain individual. Whatever it is, let’s bethankful to God Almighty for his many blessings – and be forever obedientto his voice.

PrayerJesus, name above all names, I want to bless you today!


Thursday 14 January 1 JOHN 5:1-15

e Purpose and Priority of Prayeris is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we askanything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that hehears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked ofhim (vv 14-15).

Here is a question many people have asked: ‘Why pray if God knows howit will end anyway?’ Perhaps it is a valid question. Yet we know prayer

makes a huge difference – for ourselves, for the person or situation we arepraying about; and for certain, God values and honours our prayers. ere’sa definite purpose for our prayers; and the act of prayer must become, if notalready, a priority in our life.

e purpose of prayer. God created each one of us in his image. But wecannot reveal that image unless we are in a relationship with him. Prayeroffers to us the opportunity to develop this bond, to deepen our communionwith God. en we are able to participate in his purposes for us on earth. Wedo not work for God; we work with God. ‘Fellow-workers’ (2 Corinthians6:1). Cooperating, working together. Fellowship through prayer. It’s arelationship like no other. So we are compelled to make time to be with Godin prayer.

e priority of prayer. Prayer is not an option for Christians. Godcannot force us to be in relationship with him. But if our life is to havemeaning and purpose, if we want things to happen for the good, if we wantto be with God for ever in Heaven, if we want protection and peace andhope – then prayer must be a priority. We need to pray if we want God’s willto be done. Prayer is essential if we want victory for ourselves, for thosearound us and for the world at large.

e purpose of prayer? To have fellowship with Almighty God.e priority of prayer? To grow into Christ’s likeness.

Prayerank you, Lord, for the precious gi of prayer. ank you for listeningand for hearing our prayers. ank you for your amazing love – for meand for your world. ank you, Jesus!


Friday 15 January EXODUS 3:1-6

Entering into God’s Presence‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holyground’ (v 5).

The heart of prayer is all about communion with God, having sweetfellowship with him. But how do we enter into his presence in the right

way? Aer all, we are talking with the Creator of the universe. We want toapproach prayer with the right attitude and spirit, which means preparingourselves for something quite extraordinary. We must come before AlmightyGod with a sense of expectation, awe and adoration.

In a worship service we oen say something like this: ‘Let us now enterinto God’s presence as we pray together.’ But how do we really do this, in thebest way?

With reverence. We are to come before God with an attitude ofreverence. For he is holy, majestic, worthy to be praised and honoured. If wetruly love him, we will want to have a respectful attitude as we approach Godin prayer.

In holiness. We’re to enter into God’s presence as we walk in holiness.We must have clean and pure hearts – for then we will see God (Matthew5:8). When we live with integrity, we are able to have complete intimacywith God.

With humility. We are to enter into God’s presence with humble hearts –realising we cannot do ‘life’ on our own. We come to the conclusion thatprayer is essential; we cannot live without it. Our relationship with Godbecomes a priority.

Once we admit that we are not the centre of the universe but God is, andonce we have the deep longing to cultivate our prayer life, then we comebefore our loving God – asking him to speak to us and with us each andevery day.

ActionLet’s take off any footwear as we bow in prayer right now – entering intothe holy presence of God.



BreathtakingSurely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me (v 4).

As I write, I am on vacation in Banff, Alberta – set in the midst of theRocky Mountains in western Canada. I’m here primarily because my

son, Joel, is directing an opera in this location. e setting is majestic! Peoplecome here from all around the world, basking in nature’s beauty. It isvirtually breathtaking!

e mountains speak of power, of strength; a reminder that God is withus – protecting us and empowering us with his strength. In all areas of ourlife, he is our source of help. God is for us and only wants the very best forus. Now, and for all the days to come.

In the psalm for today, David finds himself in trouble; in danger. He isfleeing from King Saul and asks God to rescue him:

Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might (v 1).

e God who creates majestic mountain ranges longs to help us in ourtime of need. Reaching down, then liing us to safety; assuring us of hisprotective arms of love. David, in this rather short psalm, reflects – knowingGod has saved him in the past. He has no doubt God will watch over himnow, because God is faithful:

For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked intriumph on my foes (v 7).

e God of creation longs to care for us, desiring to protect us and watchover us, no matter what we are facing. For he is our God, who gives usbreath; he is the God of such majesty and strength. Just the thought of whohe really is, to all of us, is breathtaking!

ActionSometime today go for a walk, soaking in God’s creation. And know,beyond all doubt, that he loves you – just for who you are!


Sunday 17 January MATTHEW 5:1-12

Tell Me the Story of JesusNow when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and satdown. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them (vv 1-2).

Many people we encounter on a daily basis know nothing of Christ. A few,if we are fortunate and given the opportunity, might ask us to tell them

things about Christianity – stories about Jesus:

Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word;Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.Tell how the angels in chorus Sang, as they welcomed his birth:Glory to God in the highest, Peace and good tidings to earth!

(SASB 152 v 1)

Fanny Crosby, blind almost from birth, wrote more than 8,000 songs – aswell as being a concert singer, organist, harpist, teacher, speaker, counsellor,and benefactor of charitable ministries. Instinctively, Fanny knew that manypeople were fascinated by this man called Jesus. Someone who was temptedand experienced sorrow, just like us. Someone who was despised, afflicted,rejected, and was even homeless and poor – like many of us:

Fasting alone in the desert, Tell of the days that he passed;How he was tried and was tempted, Yet was triumphant at last.Tell of the years of his labours, Tell of the sorrows he bore;He was despised and afflicted, Homeless, rejected and poor. (v 2)

Do we want to know more about Jesus? Are we willing to tell others aboutJesus? e stories are so sweet! Let us commit to learning, and sharing, aboutJesus every day – as we sing the refrain together:

Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word;Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.

Obedience 19

Monday 18 January GENESIS 18:1-15; 19:23-38

Hospitality versus Worldlinessen the LORd said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time nextyear, and Sarah your wife will have a son’ (18:10).

It was the hottest time of the day. Abraham was sitting at the entrance to histent when he suddenly noticed three men standing nearby. Immediately he

went to them, inviting them to his humble home. A place with shade. A placewhere he would offer them water and food to eat. A place of welcome.Hospitality.

We might expect hospitality from family or friends. But from completestrangers? When it is extended to us, it’s a beautiful gi. When we offerhospitality to others, we are extending the hand of Christian friendship andfellowship to someone else. Abraham did not know who the three men were.He soon learned that it was the Lord with two angels. e Lord broughtexciting news: Abraham and Sarah, old now in years, would have a son.Wonderful!

Following this beautiful story of the importance of showing hospitality,we have the tragic story of Sodom and Gomorrah – two cities destroyedbecause of their extreme worldliness and wickedness. And we learn aboutLot, who also loved the world – loving worldliness more than God himself.Tragically, Lot lost his wife, who disobeyed God by looking back at theburning cities and was turned into a pillar of salt (19:26). He also lost hisdaughters to the world. ese two young women intentionally slept withtheir father to get pregnant by him. Incest. Despicable!

And so, in our Scripture readings for today we have a beautiful story ofhospitality, followed by a tragic account of extreme worldliness. A picture oflife, really. About the choices we make – some good, some very poor andextremely harmful. May we always put God first and foremost in all we doand say – every moment of every day!

ActionLet us invite someone new into our home, to share coffee or tea, or even ameal. You never know, we might be inviting angels unaware!

20 Obedience

Tuesday 19 January GENESIS 20

Dealing with FailureAbraham said of his wife Sarah, ‘She is my sister.’ en Abimelech kingof Gerar sent for Sarah and took her (v 2).

Abraham, ‘God’s friend’ (James 2:23) – the only person in the entire Biblegiven this acknowledgement – lied. He was deceitful, even putting his

wife at great risk. He let God down, big time. is man, noted to be of suchgreat faith; this patriarch, father of the nations, sinned. He failed.

Christians sin. e questions are: How do we deal with failure? How dowe pick up our lives and move forward – facing family, friends, colleagues?Most of all, how do we face God? Some hide. Others pretend it neverhappened. Many fall apart. And like Humpty Dumpty, the pieces don’t fittogether again.

A recent article in the Toronto Star spoke of a new movement called FailForward. e founder, geophysicist and international development workerAshley Good, states that she started the movement to change the culture offailure. Although a secular movement, its mandate is to bring people fromfailure to a new future. ey do this by admitting failures in order to preventthem reoccurring; being honest about failures, then dealing with themconstructively in order to move forward, without shame. We would call thisrepentance, then forgiveness.

What did Abraham do, realising he greatly failed Abimelech, Sarah andhimself?

Abraham prayed to God (v 17).

We all mess up, miserably. But, it’s what we do aer we fail that’s crucial.Dealing effectively with failure is a way that brings true healing. Is theresomething we need to do – right now?

PrayerLord God, I’ve failed you many times. You always take me back. ankyou. And cleanse me afresh today, I pray.

Obedience 21

Wednesday 20 January GENESIS 21:1-21

Joy and SorrowAbraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him (v 3).

The birth of a child brings such joy! Holding children and grandchildrenfor the very first time – there is nothing like it! Probably most of you

know what I mean. Abraham and Sarah, likewise, were filled with immensejoy at the birth of their son, Isaac – the miracle child who came to themwhen they were so elderly. Isaac means ‘laughter’. Sarah exclaimed:

‘God has brought me laughter’ (v 6).

A baby boy. Sheer joy. A time of great celebration – and, yes, laughter!But following these opening verses, we read of an incident which causes usto weep. Such deep sorrow, extreme pain. e story that unfolds isheart-wrenching – and so difficult to comprehend.

Sarah immediately wants to get rid of her maidservant, Hagar, as well asthis woman’s son Ishmael – fathered by Abraham at her command. So theywere sent off to wander ‘in the desert of Beersheba’ (v 14). We read ofHagar’s sobbing (v 16); of young Ishmael crying (v 17). And our hearts breaktoo. Why, God? is is so unfair. But God heard their cries and providedthem with water to quench their thirst; and he promised to make Ishmaelinto a great nation.

Yes, sometimes we experience great joy! Whether it is because of ourchildren or grandchildren, friends, or simply circumstances of life. We thankGod for the wonderful gi of joy he brings to us. We cherish it when itcomes, for it nourishes our soul and spirit. But when sorrow comes becauseof death, sickness, failure or disappointment, we must always remember thatGod hears our cries and promises to be with us. And he will never leave us.

Prayerank you, Lord Jesus, for always being there for me. Yes, in the times ofgreat joy and celebration. But also in times of deepest sorrow. ank youfor your presence, for with it comes true peace.


Thursday 21 January LUKE 11:1-13

A Model PrayerOne day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one ofhis disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray’ (v 1).

The disciples observed Jesus saying and doing many wonderful things.But the Bible only records one thing they asked him to teach them. It

was how to pray. Not how to cast out demons or heal the sick; not how towalk on water or turn water into wine. Simply how to pray. Why? Becausethey saw Jesus praying all the time. e Twelve knew that all Jesus did andsaid was because of prayer.

When Jesus had finished praying, they were anxious also to pray. ey nodoubt knew the ritual prayers given in the synagogue or temple, but theywanted to pray like their Master. Jesus, knowing that prayer did not comenaturally, began:

‘When you pray, say …’ (v 2).

Many believe and tell others that prayer is just talking to God. ere issome truth to this. But if we want our prayers to be effective, there must bemore than just a chat. Jesus gave to his disciples a model prayer, a certainpattern to use when praying. It is a way of approaching God by honouringhim, making our requests known, and making sure our hearts are in theright place as we speak to Almighty God – and as we give him the glory hedeserves.

e Lord’s Prayer, as it has come to be known, can be shared incommunity. Or we can pray it on our own, suddenly feeling connected toGod in a strange and powerful way. And so, let us pray it together by prayingit aloud wherever we find ourselves just now. In a miraculous way we will beunited – and the Lord will be honoured:

‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.And lead us not into temptation’ (vv 2-4).


Friday 22 January MATTHEW 6:5-15

e Lord’s Prayer‘But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to yourFather, who is unseen’ (v 6).

Many Christian seminaries and Salvation Army training colleges orschools teach courses in ‘Spiritual Formation’. Teachers and lecturers

share with students how to be more Christlike as they interact with theworld that surrounds them. Author Wil Hernandez describes spiritualformation as ‘the process of being with Christ in order to become like Christand consequently live for Christ’.3 Being with, becoming like, living forChrist. Powerful!

e teaching contained in e Lord’s Prayer is part of our spiritualformation, for it is transformational. If we pray in a similar manner, everyday, it will begin to percolate all parts of our lives. Our character will bemoulded and spiritually formed to be more like Christ. is prayer, taughtby Jesus, can nourish and deepen our Christian life – to the point of bringingus closer to God. For the prayer reveals how to live, each and every day.

When we come before God with the right attitude and the right motive,and in all humility, our prayers become less about our own interests andmore about caring for the community around us and the world at large. Forthey are about how to love and live for God and for others. When we areconsistently aware of our need to be forgiven, and to offer forgiveness, thishelps us develop healthy relationships and brings peace within.

Praying like Jesus is about committing ourselves to being spirituallyformed into a new and fresh and exciting way of life. About being on anexhilarating spiritual journey – as we fall in love with Jesus, over and overagain.

So, let’s go into our ‘room’, close the door, and pray to our Father.

PrayerLord, help me to live daily for you alone. And may my time spent withyou, in prayer, be cherished as we commune, one with the other. I declaremy deep love for you once again!

24 Living the Proverbs

Saturday 23 January PROVERBS 11:16-31

GenerosityA generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself berefreshed (v 25).

This chapter in Proverbs addresses many subjects: honesty (v 1), pride(v 2), integrity (v 3) for example. Each subject presents a worthy cause

for reflection and meditation. Yet for these next few moments I would likeus to centre our thoughts on the idea of generosity.

Having a generous and giving heart comes naturally to some, but not toall people. It can be a struggle to give money, possessions, even our time, forthe benefit of others. We can become selfish; not free in the giving of thingswe cherish most.

I love our verse for today. We ‘prosper’ as we give from the heart,receiving so much in return. But the second part of the verse is particularlybeautiful. When we are generous, we ‘refresh’ others. en, mysteriously,we’re also refreshed. ere is a sense of rejuvenation. is happens when wepossess a generous spirit. When we give without hesitation. Anotherproverb, from an unknown source and author, says this: ‘Blessed are thosewho give without remembering, and receive without forgetting.’ Generosity.

e United States President, Barack Obama, said: ‘Focusing your lifesolely on making a buck [money] shows a certain poverty of ambition. Itasks too little of yourself. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon tosomething larger than yourself that you realise your potential.’ Generosity,from those who love God supremely, is about ‘hitching up’ with something,someone, in a way that makes a difference. Isn’t this what life is really allabout?

e fruit of the righteous is a tree of life (v 30).

PrayerHelp me, Lord, to never become so self-centred that I hold back on‘refreshing’ someone else by my generosity. By my actions I want to blessothers, to bless you, and in so doing I also will be blessed!

Songs of the Heart 25

Sunday 24 January EPHESIANS 3:1-13

My Faith Looks Up to eeIn him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedomand confidence (v 12).

Ray Palmer, a young school teacher, went through a time of illness anddepression. When writing these words at that time, he had no intention

for them ever to be seen by anyone else:

My faith looks up to thee,ou Lamb of Calvary, Saviour divine;Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away,O let me from this day Be wholly thine!

(SASB 726 v 1)

Two years later he met his friend, Lowell Mason, who had come acrossthe verses. With Palmer’s permission he took the words and composed amelody – feeling the sentiments expressed would help others.

Many of us go through difficult times. It’s then more than ever that weneed God’s strength, his grace, to fall upon us. A renewed zeal to inspire us!And in response, we long to express our love to God:

May thy rich grace impartStrength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire;As thou hast died for me, O may my love to theePure, warm and changeless be, A living fire!

(v 2)

Palmer’s hymn has proved to be a musical statement of faith. As aransomed people, destined for Heaven, let us join our hearts and voices aswe sing this final verse together:

When ends life’s transient dream,When death’s cold, sullen stream Shall o’er me roll,Blest Saviour, then in love, Fear and distrust remove;O bear me safe above, A ransomed soul!

26 Obedience

Monday 25 January GENESIS 22:1-19

Testings and TrialsSome time later God tested Abraham (v 1).

Life is oen very difficult. ere are testings and trials. And sometimes wereally do not know if we are going to make it through. We don’t know

where to turn, because we don’t know why this is happening to us. ebottom line is, we have to live with what is going on and trust God with it all.But it’s never easy.

e Scripture passage for today is very difficult to read because wesimply cannot imagine being in the same situation ourselves. Abraham wasfaithful, blessed with a precious promised son; but then hears these words:

‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the regionof Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountainsI will tell you about’ (v 2).

Personally, I just can’t imagine it! My child? I can’t even go there. Yet whatamazes me is that we hear nothing of any contrary reaction from Abraham.e next day he got his donkey ready and headed out for the mountain –with his servant, and his beloved son. His faith and trust in God puts me toshame.

We read on. Abraham reached the mountain, went up, made an altar,then laid his son on it. ere is no recorded protest from Isaac, for he trustedand had great faith in his father. e ropes bound Isaac to the wood; thenout came Abraham’s knife. But just before he struck the boy with it, an angelcalled out for him to stop.

Abraham had proved his amazing faith in, and deep love for, God.Mount Moriah became not a place of sacrifice, but one of great victory.

PrayerO Lord God, increase my faith! When tested, when going through trials,help me to trust in you implicitly. May I be faithful, proving my deep lovefor you by being your obedient child.

Obedience 27

Tuesday 26 January GENESIS 24:1-4, 15-27

Love at First Sight‘I want you to swear by the LORd … that you will not get a wife for myson from the daughters of the Canaanites … but will go to my countryand my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac’ (vv 3-4).

Sarah had died (see Genesis 23:2). Abraham was old and ready to diehimself, but he did not want to go from this life to the next without

knowing Isaac had a wife who loved God. So he called the chief servant ofhis household, telling him to find Isaac a wife from among his own people.

e servant went on his mission to a faraway land. When he got there, heprayed God would reveal the right person:

Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on hershoulder (v 15).

Why are we so oen surprised – even shocked – when, aer prayingsincerely for something, our answer to prayer is revealed to us? Sadly, ourfaith is oen so small. At least mine is. Yet God is so amazingly faithful! Henot only hears our prayers, he oen answers them before we even finishpraying.

e servant was immediately invited into the home of Rebekah, soonlearning her family were relatives of his master, Abraham. He meets Bethuel,her father, and Laban, her brother. He then reveals the purpose of hismission. Aer listening, they know this must be of the Lord; so Rebekah’sfather agrees to send her with the servant – to meet and be with her futurehusband.

When they were drawing close to home, Isaac happened to be in thefield, meditating and praying. He looked up and saw the camelsapproaching. Rebekah saw Isaac; he saw her. Love at first sight!

PrayerI again ask, Lord, for increased faith. Deepen my prayer life. Help me topray in faith, believing. And Jesus, I want you to know that, when I gazeinto your beautiful face, for me it is love at first sight!

28 Obedience

Wednesday 27 January GENESIS 25:1-11

Last Will and Testamenten Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old manand full of years; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac andIshmael buried him (vv 8-9).

When someone dies, it is significant. We are saddened. A life gone. Wethank God for them, and strive to bring comfort to the loved ones le

behind. Under normal circumstances there is a last will and testament le bythe deceased to be acknowledged.

Such was the case with Abraham. We are told that, in his ‘will’, he leeverything he owned to Isaac. All his material wealth. But before Abrahamdied, Scripture says he gave gis to his other children and relatives – wantingthem to have something of his. A remembrance. Something that might helpthem live a little easier.

Abraham also le his ‘testament’ – his testimony – for the whole worldto benefit. Something of his spiritual wealth. No, he wasn’t perfect. But hewas a man of great faith. He trusted God implicitly, living from day to dayby faith.

He had le his home, allowing God to lead him into unknown territory.At a point of crisis in his life, when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac,he trusted God completely to work it all out. And before he died, Abrahambelieved God would give Isaac a wife from his own people – so they could,together, continue to build God’s Kingdom on earth.

What a legacy! A man of such great faith. I pray this for myself, thatwhen I die I will be remembered as a woman of faith. Perhaps this is yourdesire as well. If so, what a last will and testament we will leave for those whocome aer us. And what a beautiful ending there was to Abraham’s life –both sons honouring him in his burial. Such love!

PrayerLord God, I want my life to count. ank you for the life of Abraham andother faithful servants who have gone before me. May I prove to be yourfaithful and obedient child – until the end!


Thursday 28 January 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-11

Ourerefore encourage one another and build each other up (v 11).

There is you, and there is me. Together, we become us. e word ‘our’forms a bridge between you and me. ‘Our’ implies a connection. ‘Mine’,

for example, suggests isolation, aloneness. It is the same with ‘you’ or ‘yours’.But our gives a different slant on things; a different dynamic altogether. Andthis is why e Lord’s Prayer begins with ‘Our’ – carrying with it profoundimplications.

Today, perhaps more than ever before, we need the word ‘our’. Manypeople prefer to work on their own, keeping things to themselves. Some areextremely private, not wanting to share what is going on in their lives. But, inreality, we need to be with others and, as believers, be in the company ofGod’s people to encourage and support one another.

Phil Needham writes: ‘Sociologists have amply demonstrated that humanlife and personality can be understood only in relation to the communitieswith which persons are associated during the course of their lives. Humandevelopment takes place in community, and the personality is formed inpart by the ways in which the individual interacts with and within thesignificant communities in his life.’4

is tiny word ‘our’ brings us together as we li our hearts to God inprayer. Even if we are physically alone when we pray, ‘our’ forms animmediate bond with people in the spiritual realm. We never need to feelalone, ostracised, separated.

God is our Father. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We are allpart of the inclusive, and beautiful, family of God. All mysteriously joinedtogether because of God’s amazing love for each one of us.

PrayerOur Father, bind us together – with cords that cannot be broken.


Friday 29 January ACTS 4:23-37

Life TogetherAll the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt thatwhat they owned was not their own, so they shared everything theyhad (v 32 NLT).

Early believers did not really have a concept of ‘personal faith’. Whenpeople thought about themselves, it was always in the context of others.

Community. Today, many people have gone to the other extreme, sayingthey don’t need other people – even to grow spiritually. Some say they don’tneed to attend church to be a Christian. But when we try to live in arelational vacuum, we suffer greatly. For we were created to live inrelationship with others. To share life together.

‘It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gi ofgrace, a gi of the Kingdom of God…,’ wrote Dietrich Bonhoeffer. ‘Let himthank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that weare allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.’5

e Lord’s Prayer begins with the word ‘our’. is implies the inclusionof brothers and sisters in our corps, our churches; those in ourcommunities; people from all around the world. Everyone, sharing lifetogether – even if physically we might be separated by thousands of miles.‘Our’ somehow brings us very close, uniting us in prayer as God’s people.Inclusiveness. Intimacy.

Yes, some of us are very private people. Yet there is something quitebeautiful about sharing in a spiritual sense. Blessing God together andblessing one another. God designed us, aer all, to be connected to him andto one another. It is part of our DNA.

Our Father. What a deep sense of belonging! en it’s up to each one ofus in committing to remain together.

ActionToday, and tomorrow, let us be deliberate in encouraging others andpraying for one another. It will be a blessing – for us all!



Climb Every MountainMy heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fearand trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me (vv 4-5).

Yesterday, I climbed a mountain. It wasn’t the largest in the RockyMountains range, found in western Canada, but it seemed pretty big to

me! It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining brilliantly, so off I went. Imade it to the summit. What a magnificent sight! Other mountains, lakesbelow, rock formations. I stood in solitude, basking in the beauty of it all.With the birds singing in the background, I gave praise to God for hismajestic creation.

Life isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be very painful at times. In the psalmfor today, David was experiencing a very difficult time. He wanted to escapefrom it all: to ‘fly’ (see v 6), like a dove, and simply get away; to flee ‘from thetempest and storm’ (v 8) in order to ‘be at rest’. To escape from the enemy.

Sometimes mountains are set before us as a challenge. We need to havean inner determination to take the first step; to see that it is possible to reachthe summit – then seeing things from a different perspective. Seeing God inall his beauty and splendour. And when we climb, we never do it alone. I hadfamily members with me yesterday – even my little grandson, Sammy,carried in a pouch on his daddy’s chest. When we climb the variousmountains of life, God is always with us. And if in trouble, he is there for us:

But I call to God, and the LORd saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cryout in distress, and he hears my voice (vv 16-17).

Rather than trying to escape the trials and hardships of life, God wantsus to climb the ‘mountains’ that are before us, and to trust in him implicitly.He promises to be with us and always support us:

Cast your cares on the LORd and he will sustain you; he will never let therighteous fall (v 22).


Sunday 31 January REVELATION 21:1-5

O Happy, Happy DayHe will wipe every tear from their eyes. ere will be no more death ormourning or crying or pain (v 4).

John Lawley, as a Salvation Army officer, became the aide-de-camp toGeneral William Booth for more than 20 years. As a musician, he wrote

songs like today’s – expressing happiness found in Jesus:

O happy, happy day When old things passed away,ere where the Saviour died for me!I knew my sins forgiven And had a sight of Heaven,ere where the Saviour died for me.

(SASB 883 v 1)

It is wonderful to come before God in prayer and sense his direction forour lives. To see his face before us and realise we will one day be with theLord for ever – all because of the Cross:

’Twas there I learnt to pray And found the narrow way,ere where the Saviour died for me.I saw his blessèd face And joined the heavenly race,ere where the Saviour died for me.

(v 3)

When we experience difficulties in life, God is with us to wipe away ourtears; to take away all fears and give us his peace – all because of the Cross.Let us bask in the happiness Christ brings as we sing the fourth verse andrefrain as our united benediction:

He wiped away my tears And drove away my fears,ere where the Saviour died for me.He whispered: Go in peace; And bade my struggling cease,ere where the Saviour died for me.

ere where the Saviour died for me; ere where the Saviour died for me;I saw the cleansing flow at washes white as snow,ere where the Saviour died for me.

33 Notes

Notes

1

2

3

4

5

Arnold Brown, Yin – e Mountain the Wind Blew Here, © 1988 Bookwright Publications, Toronto, Canada.Frederick Beuchner, Wishful inking: A eological ABC, © 1973 Harper & Row. Revised and published 1993 by HarperCollins,New York, USA.Wil Hernandez, Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality of Imperfection, © 2006e Leadership Institute, published by Paulist Press, New Jersey, USA. Phil Needham, Community in Mission: a Salvationist Ecclesiology, International Headquarters, 1987, © e General of the Salvation Army.Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, © 1954 Harper & Row, published by HarperCollins, New York, USA.

Much of the information provided here is taken from books in the personal possession of the author.erefore, the editions listed may not be the latest available. Some may be out of print.

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Words of Life - January 2016