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.
Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring? (NIV)
Have reverence for the Lord, my child, and honour the king. Have nothing to do with people who rebel against them; such people could be ruined in a moment. Do you realize the disaster that God or the king can cause? (GNB)
Proverbs 24.21-22
Thankfully we in the UK don’t need to worry about it – but the question of when it’s right for Christians to rebel against the authorities is a sharp one in many parts of the world today.
In general, the Bible’s position is that we should honour and respect our leaders, and work for their good. One of the starkest examples of that is Daniel, who worked for and blessed the Babylonian empire, which had defeated and exiled God’s people from Israel. Likewise this Proverb highlights loyalty – although I suppose if this is one of Solomon’s, his motives may have been a little mixed!
When do you think it might be right to break the law, to rebel against the authorities? Is it ever right to do that?
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:
Bibbey Family (Craig, Jonathan, Shaunnagha)
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: Home Groups (meeting virtually)
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.