In the Christmas Carol, ‘O Holy Night’ we sing the words, ‘A thrill of Hope, A weary world rejoices.’ How true as we reach the end of the year 2021 is it to say, our world is weary! The carol says however that there is hope. As we consider the Biblical account of Christmas, we […]
When the phrase, ‘What was that’ is used it might be en exclamation of disbelief, it might be said in confusion or uncertainty or simply a genuine question. We seek to consider the year 2020 and what was that? what has just happened? What is it that we have seen and experienced here in Australia […]
In this Psalm we find David nailing his colours to the mast. He says God is the one I love, he is the one I follow. I will not surrender, I will not retreat. I will choose to go his way, no matter what battle I face. I will trust him always and I will […]
God is presented immediately in this psalm as ‘our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.’ Amidst a world of difficulty and trial, of violence and war, there is peace and security to be found with God. This is true, yet the challenge remains for Christians to consider whether what is […]
The psalmist writes from the ‘depths.’ His struggle is with sin and yet there is hope. He acknowledges his sin and calls out to God, the only one who can help when sin is our problem. We must learn to do likewise. As the psalmist waits in hope for God to forgive, we come knowing […]
In this further ‘Song of Ascent’ the pilgrims have arrived in Zion. After the journey to get there, they arrive in the place where they will worship God. The psalmist here rejoices though in ‘dwelling together in unity’ with God’s children. Being with the people of God gives him great joy. Indeed the psalm paints […]
In this second ‘Song of Ascents’ we find a psalm of distress. Without being told the nature of the distress, the psalmist looks back with Joy on former days. His hope is for God to store the fortunes of Israel. Many of us do the same today as we look back on former days with […]
As God whittles Gideon’s army down from 32,000 to 300, and as God gives them only trumpets and jars for the fight, when they come out victorious, it is clear that the Battle is the Lord’s. No one else could be responsible for this victory. We also see Gideon as a changed man,]. The man […]