Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).
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Opening
Speak these words out loud:
Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6.9 (NIV)
Today’s Proverb
Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.
Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (NIV)
My child, eat honey; it is good. And just as honey from the comb is sweet on your tongue, you may be sure that wisdom is good for the soul. Get wisdom and you have a bright future. (GNB)
Proverbs 24.13-14
My favourite use for honey is in a hot toddy: whisky, honey, and hot water. It does wonders for a sore throat!!
In Solomon’s day honey was a luxury, which is why he singles it out in so many proverbs. It was largely wild, so finding some was good fortune – think Samson finding honey after bees made their home in the body of a dead lion.
What would you regard as a luxury item, something you love but don’t or can’t have regularly, so when you do, it’s a real treat? Pretty high up the list for me would be Krispy Kreme doughnuts – a treat we only really ever have on holiday, often picking one up at a service station on our way to wherever we’re going. They are so delicious!
This Proverb tells us wisdom is like that, the rare luxury that we savour, look forward to, enjoy.
The thing is, I’m not sure I savour it as much as I do a fancy doughnut!
Prayers
Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.
Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders. Today we are praying for:
Ben & Jess Green, Lesley Willers, Wendy Ruff
Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.
We also pray for: Local Health, Police & Fire Services
Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves.
Church Family Prayer
Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.
Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6
May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.