Lent week4 Thursday

 David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17

1. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it.
2. Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
3. Now the Israelites had been saying, "Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel."
4. David asked the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel?Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him,

"This is what will be done for the man who kills him."

28 When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilder-ness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle."

29 "Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?" 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

According to Malcolm Gladwell in 'David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants' there are medical experts who believe that Goliath was suffering from acromegaly, which causes rapid, excess, and abnormal growth. It has a side effect of causing restrictive sight. Goliath, in the biblical story, needs someone to lead him out and he has to get close to David to see him. Perhaps an indication of poor sight.

Although, it would appear, David does not stand a chance against this giant, Goliath, once you start factoring in that Goliath is weighted down with heavy armour, is slow and may have limited vision the situation takes on a different perspective.

Sometimes by talking through a challenging situation and considering different facades of the problem, a different perspective can emerge. Many times, there are factors in a difficult situation that we are not aware of. By pausing, reflecting, and praying a calmer more measured response may develop.

Pray

Hold my hand in Weakness.

Loving God, you are my strength. Hold my hand in my weakness and teach my heart to fly. With you, there's nothing to fear, nothing to worry about. Hold me tight in your embrace, so that I can be stronger than the challenges in my life.

Lent week4 Wednesday

 David and Goliath 

1 Samuel 17 

12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah (d) of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance (e) from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines, and asked his brothers how they were.

 Footnotes 

(d) 1 Samuel 17:17 That is, probably about 36 pounds or about 16 kilograms.

(e) 1 Samuel 17:18 Or some token; or some pledge of spoils 

David does not know what lies in front of him. He is obedient. His humble job of tending to the sheep taught him skills that he was soon to put to great use. He is an expert in protecting the sheep from wild animals and is proficient in the use of a sling.

 Prayer for strength and comfort 

I know I am weak, Lord, so I will allow you to carry me through this valley. I struggle to think clearly, so I depend upon your living word to lift me. I feel such darkness around, so I look to your light. I walk with a heavy heart, so I will give you each burden. I wonder if my heart can take the strain, so I rest in your love and peace. I think of a candle to remind me of the warm glow of your hope in dark places. Teach me to be obedient. Amen.

Lent week4 Tuesday

 Over the next few days, we are going to examine and reflect on the David and Goliath story. Your eyes are probably glazing over, and you are thinking borrrrring. Bear with this. You might find something in it that rings a bell in your own life. 

David and Goliath 

1 Samuel 17

Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. (a) 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armour of bronze weighing five thousand shekels(b); 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.(c) His shield bearer went ahead of him.

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." 10 Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." 11 On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

Footnotes

a) 1 Samuel 17:4 That is, about 9 feet 9 inches or about 3 meters. 

b) 1 Samuel 17:5 That is, about 125 pounds or about 58 kilograms. 

c) 1 Samuel 17:7 That is, about 15 pounds or about 6.9 kilograms.

Think of some world issues where there is a David and Goliath situation?

Think about your life and those around you. Is there a David and Goliath situation there?

Pray

Gracious God, I pray for those countries that are being bullied and attacked by bigger and stronger nations. Let your justice intervene.

Gracious God, I pray about this personal situation where a big bully is causing fear and hurt. Let your justice intervene.

Lent week4 Monday

 How do you feel about your abilities, this can shape your willingness to tackle challenges and finish difficult tasks. It’s a crucial element in your motivation and confidence. It could be blocking the work that God wants you to do. Look again at that road not taken in your life. Realistically examine how it would have changed things both in a positive and negative way. 

Pray 

Dear God, as I look back on my life and look back on the choices I have made and those that were made for me, help to find peace, hope and acceptance. Let me accept what has been and find the strength and grace to forgive and move on. Show me how to use my time and talents for your glory.

Lent week4 Sunday

 Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” 

Making a virtue out of necessity. 

How are you doing today? 

How did you sleep last night? 

Are you content with your life? 

Take time today to list the good things in your life. All those things that you are thankful for and that add colour to your daily existence. 

On the radio recently a woman talked about how she was born into a family where her father was an alcoholic and her mother had Asperger’s Syndrome. Life as a child was difficult. The woman developed resilience and a strong Christian faith. Often, she would ask God why he had given her these parents instead of a nice comfortable family. 

Through prayer and being open to God, the woman came to understand that God had not given her to these parents for them to look after her, but instead, God had given to her these parents for her to care for them. 

Through the experience of caring for her parents as a child, the woman developed resilience and skills that as an adult she was able to use to serve God and aid others. 

That understanding and acceptance gave her peace and an understanding to get on with her life and not dwell on what might have been. 

“Some of you have been in deep waters through pain, poverty, and bereavement. Loved ones and friends have forsaken you – but not God. He will hear the prayer of the humble heart. God will not forsake you. He is near in your distress.” — Charles Spurgeon 

Pray 

Lord, remind me how You are my refuge and strength at all times. Please grant me understanding and insight into this situation I am in. Let me have the faith to know that you will not forsake me and that are near. Please give me peace in the assurance that you are my refuge and my strength. There are there beside me in my trouble.

 Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 

We are invited to pray, to keep silence, to enter into scripture, to share our faith with one another. To live and share with one another in this way can be life-giving.  

This the way we grow like seeds that fall upon the ground and break open and shoot and grow and become the trees in which others find shelter. 

What we are seeking is organic growth, allowing God in us to do God’s work. Growth from the bottom up. Allowing the light of God to warm and then slowly crack open the shell of our defences, to allow the breath of God in, so that we are no longer dormant but begin to become filled by that breath, expanded into life. 

As we grow, we thirst and discover the water of life. We unfold, we realise that this growth is not  something we do alone. We are in a field of those growing together, each one of us protecting, sheltering, giving light and shade and nourishing the others.

Lent week3 Saturday

 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). 

“In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27). 

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:8). 

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). 

Is there something in your life that is worrying you and has taken over your life? You don’t seem to talk about anything except this. Has it become a nightmare? It doesn’t go away; you live and breathe it? Is there something that has cast a long shadow of unhappiness over your life? 

Are you liable to fester all day about a stranger’s rudeness? 

We live in such an incredibly divided world at the moment, and everyone seems very quick to judge. When someone cuts you up in their car, or pushes in front of you, choose an empathetic thought. Perhaps they’ve had a terrible night with a loved one being sick. Choose the narrative that stops you feeling tension and frustration. 

When we are faced with a festering annoyance, let God challenge us to try and take another path in thought and action.

Lent week3 Friday

 Romans 8:6

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Allowing God into the pain in our life is very simple but very powerful. It can help us change the trajectory of our life. Take time this Lent to think about sharing money, time, and gifts, discovering how we can build a community of love through our many acts of service.

The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart God will not despise. Let us come to God, who is full of compassion, ready to listen and forgive.

I list those things that are blocking me from having a closer relationship with God.

Still my heart and mind as I come into God's presence.

Pray

Loving God thank you for your love and care for me. I want my thoughts to be governed by you. Please grant me peace. Show me how to get release. I submit my thoughts to you. Please overcome the darkness in my life that is making me miserable. Please let me be free and healthy. Show me how I may be of service to you.

Lent week3 Thursday

 1 Timothy 6:11-12

11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.

What do want from life? Success? Money?

There are plenty of studies that show that after a certain point, more money doesn't make us happier; but it can't deny that money can remove common sources of unhappiness. While there is nothing wrong with wanting more in our career and life, we should caution ourselves and ask: Where does that desire come from? "Is it from a place of lack or a place of fullness?" Success is no assurance of happiness or contentment. It can be a barrier in our Christian life.

Lent Spiritual Prompt

Take a moment to define success not as the world defines it but how it should be defined in our Christian life?

Pray

Gracious God, you know me so well. Relieve me of those desires that I think will me make happy but in reality, will damage and hurt me.

Let me focus on you and show me what I should be pursuing in my life.

Lent week3 Wednesday

 Be silent.

Be still.

Alone

Empty

Before your God

Say nothing.

Ask nothing.

Be silent.

Be still.

Let your God

Look upon you.

That is all

God knows.

Understands

Loves you with

An enormous love

God only wants to

Look upon you

With Love

Quiet

Still

Be

Let vour God

Love you.

Lent week3 Tuesday

 Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.

Wordsworth

The pursuit of success is the dominant narrative of our time, where social media encourages us to present a perfect image of our lives with the drive towards a bigger house, better job, or flashier holi-day.

Much of what society teaches us, particularly in western society, is to focus on the wrong things. So many people end up making themselves ill and tired hustling to get those things. Sometimes people actually get those things, and it does not make them happy. Or in the process of striving, they neglect the things that truly make them happy.

Lent Spiritual Prompt

Talk to God about your life goals and your decisions. What "ma-terial things" are controlling your life? List them and ask the Holy Spirit to help you release control and let them go, so that God's perfect will is done in your life. At your core are you content and at peace with your life? If not, talk to someone you trust about this.

Pray

Gracious God, please help me to spend my time, talents, and assets wisely. Please break the bondage of conspicuous consumption over our nation and over me. Help me to be a better steward of the resources You have blessed me with. Holy Spirit, please help me to be more disciplined with my lifestyle. Loving God, help me to learn to be content with what I have instead of wanting more. Help those who are in financial trouble. Many need a miracle in their finances, and I ask for Your intervention.

Compassionate God, please forgive me for greed, selfish ambition, idolatry, conceit, and arrogance. Forgive me for loving things and placing them over You. Forgive me for not being a good steward of Your blessings. I renounce any gods of materialism. Lord, remind me of those I need to forgive; and help me to forgive.

Lent week 3 Monday

 Philippians 2:4

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

When we see a person who is homeless, we have the opportunity to pray for them and ask for God's protection to cover them.

The next time you pass a person who has no home, pray for them.

Pray

Loving God, I pray for the people I have passed sleeping in door-ways. Show me what I should do to help change their situations.

I pray for transforming hearts and minds to foster generosity and compassion toward all those who have no homes and who are in need. Inspire those with resources and power to be Your hands and feet, extending Your love to those in need.

Lent week3 Sunday

 John 15 

 Jesus says, '...if you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing..

During Lent, perhaps we might enter a place where we rediscover our sense of belonging to our Creator, to each other, irrespective of colour, culture, or creed. This Lent we should strive to name and own our ambitions, including the temptations that stand in the way of us achieving God's plan for us.

Pray

Loving God, challenge me when I talk of anyone as less than myself, and help me speak up when others speak in ways that diminish or disparage people who differ from them. Grant me patience to listen to you to discern your plan for me. Let me abide in you and let me bear fruit for you. 

Lent week2 Saturday

 Luke 5:16 

"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."

The wilderness can also be a place of formation and a place of prep-aration. The Israelites took a census and got organized during their time in the wilderness. John the Baptist was a voice crying out from the wilderness. Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. Once Christ began healing and teaching, people followed him everywhere, but he often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

In our spiritual desert experience, there is time and space to think and pray.

The desert has things to teach us. We see the careful provision of our Father in a different light. His love stands out in stark relief against the background of the desert's barren landscape. In the wilderness, we come to the end of ourselves. We learn in new and deeper ways to cling to Him and wait for Him.

When we come out of the desert, the desert lessons stay with us.

We take them with us into the next stretch of our Christian journey.

We remember the God who led us through the desert, and we know that He is with us still. Desert times are fruitful times. Though they seem barren, lush fruit is being produced in our lives when we walk through the desert. The Lord will sanctify our desert times and make them to be fruitful in our life.

Lent Spiritual Prompt

What have you learnt this week about the desert experience?

One thing is clear in Scripture: We are never alone in the wilder-ness. If you are walking through a wilderness of your own, pray to be reminded of the promise that God will never leave or forsake

you.

Pray

Father, you've led me to this wilderness to heal me, change me, and reveal yourself to me. I trust in your plan for me as well as your willingness and ability to provide for me here.

Dear Lord, I know that wherever I am, You are with me guiding, protecting, providing. You make streams flow in the desert; You cause a root to grow out of dry ground. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to see You work when all hope seems lost.

I know I am never alone in the wilderness. I pray to be reminded of the promise that God will never leave or forsake me.

In my wilderness experience show me that desert times are fruitful times. Let me have faith to know that though this time seems bar-ren, lush fruit is being produced in my life when I walk with God through this desert. Please Lord sanctify my desert time and make it to be fruitful in my life.

Lent week 2 Friday

 Ecclesiastes 3:1 

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

To be led by the Spirit requires listening and obedience to God. The wilderness can be seen as a situation of austerity - a desert place offering no luxury. Intimidating, disheartening, and downright dangerous, time in the wilderness is daunting and not something to look forward to. It's a place where survival skills are called for.

Metaphorically, it is about loneliness or depression, about adversity, maybe bereavement, tough times.

Desert time can be associated with time for solitude. Time alone can be renewing and recharging, a dedicated opportunity for reflection and prayer, a time for us to see more clearly and to put our struggles into proper perspective. It is important to go to the desert to come closer to God.

The desert journey can be a time of learning to know and to trust God, but also an increase in self-knowledge. The desert time gives us a deepening awareness of our thoughts. We can never fully escape our struggles and temptations--time alone reminds us often it is our own thoughts and behaviours that are our biggest obstacles to having a closer relationship with God.

Lent Spiritual Prompt

What are the thoughts and behaviours that are your biggest obstacles to having a closer relationship with God? What is Jesus saying to you about the necessity of desert experience for your inner life? How do you build in and practice some desert time in your life?

Pray

Father, you've led me to this wilderness to heal me, change me, and reveal yourself to me. I trust in vour plan for me as well as vour willingness and ability to provide for me here.

Gracious God, help me to build in and practice some desert time in my spiritual life. Help me to learn to know you and trust you. Let this desert time deepen my awareness of you and your direction for me. Show me the obstacles in my life that are blocking my relationship with you.

Lent week 2 Thursday

 Corinthians 12:9

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness."

Jesus' time in the desert prepared him to begin his public ministry.

When we confront our demons with God's help, we are stronger. It is in the desert time our time of prayer, solitude, and aloneness with God--that God readies us for our next steps.

The wilderness can be seen as a beautiful and necessary part of the earth's life. We can see the wilderness as a metaphor. We all need breathing space, time to just be, peace and quiet, and the opportunity to retreat, regroup, and get a better perspective on life.

Lent Spiritual Prompt

Have you found spiritual growth or healing in your spiritual des-ert?

As we continue on our Lenten journey, let me be led by the Spirit to have the courage to deal with the desert as Jesus did. I pray that during these weeks of Lent, God will strengthen me in my weakness the way Jesus was strengthened.

Pray

Lord, you've led me to this wilderness to heal me, change me, and reveal yourself to me. I trust in your plan for me as well as your willingness and ability to provide for me.

I pray that in the wilderness you never leave me alone. Please be with me and let your light shine on my path so I can see the way and never be lost in the wilderness.

Gracious God, let me be led by the Spirit to have the courage to deal with the desert as Jesus did. I pray that during these weeks of Lent, God will strengthen me in my weakness the way Jesus was strengthened.