The prayer ( Psalm 121 )

One of the most popular songs song by Andrea  Bocelli is ,'The prayer', Here are some of the words,  'I pray you'll be our eyes,and watch us where we go,and help us to be wise,in times when we don't know. When we lose our way,lead us to a place,guide us by your grace,to a place where we'll be safe.I pray we'll find your light,we'll hold in our hearts.When stars go out each night,When shadows fill our day,lead us to a place,guide us by your grace,give us faith so we'll be safe.. Amen.

The wisdom and power of God ( 1 Corinthians 1 v 18 - 25 )

I have just looked at a list of Philosophers ,in an national newspaper ,that gives a short ,a very short  , summary of what they believed in, from Aristotle who taught that the only way to achieve a truly happy life, was by forsaking instant gratification in favour of the careful cultivation of virtues.the list ended on a happy note ( I joke ) with what Soren  Kierkegaard believed. He taught ,that all human beings live with despair until they die,whether they know it or not. I will not leave you with that note,it was the Apostle Paul who would have been familiar with Greek Philosophy inspired by Gods Holy Spirit wrote,how that for all their so called wisdom they did not know God.He went on to write how that the wisdom of God ,went beyond any human ability to conceive, it was in a Christ who was crucified.To the wise and the religious of this world,it was foolishness,but in reality it is a manifestation of the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

In His hands . (Psalm 31 v 15 )

As a result of reading the words from Psalm 91, we read Daniels words,'I scarce need tell the reader that from that moment, I resolved that I would stay in the town, and casting myself entirely upon the goodness and protection of the Almighty,would not seek any other shelter whatever; and that, as my times were in His hands, He was able to keep me in a time of infection as in a time of health; and if He did not think to deliver me, still I was in His hands, and it is right that He should do with me as  should seem good to Him'

A higher power. ( Psalm 91 )

In a little book by Daniel Defoe called ,'A visitation of the plague',when many especially the rich were fleeing from the city of London because of the Great Plague of 1665.Daniel considered his plight, what should he do,should he flee?.Well, were can we flee from the caronverus?,the problem is ,it is everywhere,well, he prayed,a simple prayer,he cried to the Lord,''Lord direct me,I know not what to do;'He had his Bible before him,and he turned the page and his eyes fell on Psalm 91,and he read,'I  will say of the Lord,He is my refuge and fortress; my God, in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence......Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor the pestilence  that walketh in darkness nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not nigh thee.......Because thou hast made the Lord,which is my refuge,even the most High, thy habitation;there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling''. I will continue this next time.

I come. ( Matthew 11 v 28 )

'Jesus its me again,on my knees again,asking you please again,reach out your hand again'.these are the words of a modern Christian song.It expresses a continual coming to Jesus,a continual need for His blessing,a continual weakness.Many old hymns express these feelings ,like that  wonderful hymn,'Just  as I 'was written by Charlotte Elliott, a lady, who suffered from ill health,and despaired of what she felt, her uselessness.It was often played at Billy Graham evangelistic campaigns,and in many ways it was an appropriate song,suited to the seeking sinner.But it also is appropriate for the child of God,here are some of the words,one can use them as a prayer, like the psalms.'Just as I am , without one plea, But that Thou blood was shed for me,And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee ,O Lamb of God I come,Just as I am ,though tossed about, with many a conflict , many a doubt, Fightings and fears within ,without,O lamb of God I come.Just as I am,Thou wilt receive. Wilt welcome,pardon, cleanse, relieve. O lamb of God I come. Just as I am ,Thy love unknown , has broken every barrier down; Now to be Thine, yea ,Thine alone, O Lamb of God ,I come.

Those evil people ( Romans 3 v 10 - 23 / 6 v 23 )

From early on in my Christian life ,the doctrine of the sovereignty of God has been precious to me, to know that He is in control,what about evil?. Evil is a fact of life,the history of humanity,is full of so much evil,wars,murders,stealing etc,that's a fact, unjust things are happening all the time.But God is not evil,no, the Lord is good,kind, holy,just,loving, and that's a fact,oh yes He uses evil,yes He uses people even evil people,and they are responsible for their evil actions,and will not escape His justice.  When we think of evil we think of people who do terrible things, Hitler, Stalin,and we loose sight of the fact, that we all are part of a sinful world,and that only God is holy.only God is truly good. Summing up our human condition God's word tells us, that there is no one righteous,not even one,there is no one who understands,there is no one who seeks God.There is no one who does good ,not even one, mouths are full of cursing and bitterness, feet are swift to shed blood, no fear of God   before their eyes, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Whatever you may think about those word, they are true. we are all part of this evil world, one way or the other, and the only hope for us evil people is Jesus,we need Him as our Saviour.

NOW. (Acts 16 v 31 )

The thought just struck me ,the coronavirus started by one person,and from that one person it has spread all over the world.It is in Romans 5 v 12 we read, 'sin entered the world by one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people,because all sinned'. The coronavirus  brings with it death, for some,hopefully a cure will be found, I wonder why this has happened?,what is Gods purpose in all this.As one looks back on history plagues of one kind or another have affected humanity.Will it affect you or me if it has,my prayers and thoughts are with you. If you are not a Christian then I urge you to turn to to Jesus,now, not  later, but now.I am not scare mongering ,but I know because of sin we are all going to die,and because we are sinners,a judgement awaits all without exception,whose sins have not been forgiven. The only way to escape that is through faith in Jesus,no one else can save,if you are a Muslim you need more than a prophet you need a Saviour.