2026 will again be through the Bible chronologically selecting verses which attract my attention or questions or encourage me on the day. I pray it blesses whoever reads . . . My theological background is Salvation Army College and now Church of England. I love all Christian denominations.
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Forgive me and help me turn from everything I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay the price and set me free from my sin. Please come into my life, fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.”
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 NKJV
Good Shepherd,
Davis wrote so many Psalms, real, honest and still relevant to the problems and emotion of today. It is believed this one, Psalm 23 took the whole of David’s life’s experience for him to write it. And sometimes I must admit I skip over it in over familiarness. But I know that You Lord always have something to say relevant to me when I am prepared to be open and listen and presume nothing!
This Psalm speaks simply, and yet profoundly, of what David has learned about Your nature and character. You are timeless and unchangeable in generosity and care. Still God in peace and when enemies surround. A God with us in life, through threatened death, and after death whenever it comes. There is nothing left wanting, nothing negative, nothing doubtful within its verses. It is reassuring, comforting and enfolding. Thank you that David discovered You as his Shepherd and was inspired by You to word this Psalm. It was recorded and added to Scripture so we are enfolded and fed by those same truths.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 17th April 2026
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want He makes me lie in pastures green He leads me by the still, still waters His goodness restores my soul
And I will trust in You alone And I will trust in You alone For Your endless mercy follows me Your goodness will lead me home
He guides my ways in righteousness And He anoints my head with oil And my cup, it overflows with joy I feast on His pure delights
Chorus
And though I walk the darkest path I will not fear the evil one For You are with me, and Your rod and staff Are the comfort I need to know
“When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. 16 Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” 18 Now it happened afterward that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the giant. 19 Again there was war at Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 20 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number; and he also was born to the giant. 21 So when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him. 22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.” 2 Samuel 21:15-22 NKJV
Now it happened afterward that war broke out at Gezer with the Philistines, at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Sippai, who was one of the sons of the giant. And they were subdued. 5 Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, with twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant. 7 So when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son ofShimea, David’s brother, killed him. 8 These were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. 1 Chronicles 20:4–8 NKJV
Lord God Almighty,
Both the Levite of Priestly Chroniclers and the history recorders thought this victory, against the Goliath family, was worthy of recording in detail for history. David killed Goliath but Goliaths brothers and family were left to threaten another day . . .
They were enemies of size, power and immense weapons but they were still defeated. I am not keen on war films but I enjoy history documentaries which do not show the massacres in realistic details and dwell on the victories. I recognise the value of knowing about them and learning from them. That a victory can be won and how. This passage reassures me that I can trust in You God. No matter what, You God are here in the midst of our battles. In life’s challenges and spiritual (Ephesians 6:12). David was too old and weak to go out to war (2 Samuel 21:17) but You still enabled the victory.
The giants may try to intimidate, threaten and overwhelm us. But they are small in Your sight. Goliath’s are no match for You. You are our defender and shield (Psalm 84:9 Living Bible). Remind us not to go it alone.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Thursday 16th April 2026 Indulgence in the traditional, theological, comforting worship.
O worship the King all-glorious above, O gratefully sing his power and his love: our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
O tell of his might and sing of his grace, whose robe is the light, whose canopy space. His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.
The earth, with its store of wonders untold, Almighty! Thy power hath founded of old; established it fast by a changeless decree, and round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail; Thy mercies how tender! How firm to the end! our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend!
“Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom. 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?” 11 So King David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house? 12 You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’ ” 14 So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants!” 2 Samuel 19:9-14 NKJV
King of Kings,
David was anointed for Kingship by You, Lord God, through Samuel (2 Samuel 16). He was sinfully usurped by Absalom who reigned but was eventually defeated and died. David could just have marched in an proclaimed himself king again. He had every right as anointed and victor in battle. But he did not. He tactfully sought to remind those running the kingdom who he was and what they could become under him. He led he did not manipulate. And he mourned the loss of his wayward son.
David had many faults as a man but he drew the best out of those who followed him. He used to be a shepherd and knew all about getting wandering sheep calmly to the best pasture and safety. And getting them to trust and obey him.
We too have a good Shepherd. And seek to grow to trust in Your care and protection as we follow and go in the direction You call us to. But we like the children of Israel have the choice to make You our Shepherd and our absolute King. To learn You are trustworthy. To help us defeat the enemy. To keep us pure and holy (Hebrews 10:10 NIV). To make us Your family,” I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV). Help us ensure You are our only Shepherd, God and King.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 15th April 2026 The man of God’s own choosing -verse 2 – and His name was Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd and King of Kings.
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same; and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!
