URC Daily Devotions 17th December

To you I call, O LORD my Rock;
Do not be deaf to my loud cry.
I’ll be like those gone down to death,
If you are silent in reply.Receive my plea for mercy, LORD,
As now I call to you for grace,
As I lift up my hands in prayer
And look to your Most Holy Place.

O drag me not away with those
Who practise wickedness and sin,
Who kindly to their neighbours speak
But harbour malice deep within.

Repay them for their evil deeds
And for their acts of wickedness;
Bring back on them what they deserve
And punish their unrighteousness.

Because the LORD’s works they despise
And treat his actions with disdain,
In justice he will tear them down
And never build them up again.

Praise to the LORD, for he has heard
The plea for mercy which I made.
He is my strength, he is my shield;
I trust in him who sends me aid.

My heart uplifted leaps for joy;
My thanks to him I gladly sing.
The LORD God is his people’s strength,
A saving fortress for his king.

LORD, save your people, your own flock;
Be pleased your heritage to bless.
Be their good shepherd; carry them
For ever in your faithfulness.

You can hear a Free Church of Scotland congregation sing this to the lovely tune Walton here.

Reflection

Nowadays places of peace and reconciliation are sought by people seeking to heal the wounds of history, to learn to live with difference and to build a culture of peace.

During my recent sabbatical I spent time in churches and communities learning about peace and reconciliation in this country and in Germany. There was also a retreat in the lovely, peaceful Quaker Centre at Woodbrooke. It has beautiful grounds where people can be still and silent. The course was about looking at the Psalms as poetry.

On the stunning timeline at Crookham depicting 500 years of conflict and peace is the question, “What
will you do for peace?”

Gracious Lord,
During this Advent season
help us to read worship texts
and Psalm prayers more reflectively
seeking deeper insights.
Help us to remember those
who are building communities of peace and reconciliation.
In times of stress
may we respond to those
who ask us to give time and energy
with joyful, loving hearts
in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen

Today’s Writer

The Rev’d Mary Taylor is the minister of Selkirk URC in the Synod of Scotland and Crookham URC in the Northern Synod

Bible Version

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Bible: © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved

Author: David Wiggs

I am the webmaster for Purley United Reformed Church and have been involved with the church since my late teens. I work in Croydon and live in Caterham.