“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord. 18 And the word of the Lord of hosts came unto me, saying, 19 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.” Zechariah 8:16-19 KJV
God of cheerful feasts,
Father, Your people had so many fasts and feasts in order that they should remember what You had done. Some You had ordained some but they had added their own and many were about abstaining from cheerfulness and pleasure. To remind them of their sin.
But here in Zechariah’s book, which points to the future and the promise of good to come. He says cheerfulness should now be part of the feast days. Why? I suppose it is the same for us today. We can look back and see what sinful man has done and what we have done and repent. But we cannot live looking in the rear mirror.
We need to look forward with cheerfulness because of Your constant provision. In the Old Testament You constantly provided even when Your people sinned. You were faithful. They worshiped a golden calf, causing Moses to smash the tablets of stone and rebelled every step of the way out of Egypt. But their children inherited the promised land. They refused to take the land when 10 of the 12 spies said there were giants they could not beat. But the next generation did.
We do not need dates in the diary to remember You. Though we do have Easter, Pentecost and Christmas. You are alive and cheerfully living in us every day by Your Holy Spirit. Lift our spirits by Yours Lord that we may smile and be cheerful on the inside and the outside.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God,
We do smile when we think of those in our family and those we are friends with and those we are part of a congregation with. Thank You. For those we cannot think cheerfully about where there has been disagreement or separation, we pray You will change the situation for good. We do not always know the depth of others family pain but we can ask You to step in and bring healing.
We continue to pray without ceasing for Ukraine and a turning from war by Russia. We continue to pray for those affected by fires in Hawaii and Greece and those fearing more trouble from the extremes of the weather.
Bless our churches with cheerfulness so they become attractive places drawing new people in. Places where they are welcome, whoever they are, whatever their background.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 15th August 2023
God running to give us HIs goodness – how can we not smile. He has never let me down, people have but bless them.. Try it. Does the chorus make You smile?
I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God
And all my life You have been faithful (oh)
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Repeat
And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God
Lyrics: Jason Ingram / Brian Johnson / Ed Cash / Ben Fielding / Jenn Johnson