The Bible Day by Day May-August 2021
Contents Abbreviations From the writer of Words of Life Extraordinary peace (selected readings) Monday 3 – Saturday 15 May All God’s people A series for Pentecost by guest writer Lieut-Colonel Kenneth Hawkins Monday 17 – Sunday 30 May Repentance brings peace (Jeremiah) Monday 31 May – Thursday 24 June Social justice (Lamentations) Friday 25 – Monday 28 June Rich in God’s love and peace (Ephesians) Tuesday 29 June – Thursday 8 July Peace through struggle (Hosea) Friday 9 – Thursday 15 July You reap what you sow (Obadiah) Friday 16 July Getting ready for Glory (1 and 2 Thessalonians) Monday 19 – Wednesday 28 July Comfort and peace (Nahum) Thursday 29 – Friday 30 July Faith + Hope = Peace (Hebrews) Monday 2 – Wednesday 11 August God’s people at peace (Zechariah) Thursday 12 – Wednesday 25 August ‘From whom all blessings flow’ (Psalms 92 – 100) Thursday 26 – Tuesday 31 August Saturdays and Sundays Most of these readings feature ‘Psalms of peace’ and ‘Songs of Peace’ Notes Index
From the Writer Peace in Our World GREETINGS in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! It has been almost two years since I last greeted you and I do so in many ways with a heavy heart. When the writer for Words of Life for the past five editions became seriously ill, I was asked to write the two books to close 2021. We express thanks to Major Christine Clement for her writings, and we extend to her our united prayers for God to bring strength and comfort in her retirement. How we need peace in our world today! Yet what is peace really all about and how can we, as believers, be agents of peace? In this edition of Words of Life we can gain insight into how peace was sought in the days of the prophet Jeremiah and how the people responded to his message as we read his book, and then Lamentations which follows. We shall also see how peace was promoted through the prophets Hosea, Obadiah and Zechariah. In the New Testament we explore how Paul longed for peace in his letters to the Ephesians and Thessalonians. We consider this same topic in the Letter to the Hebrews. Each weekend the Psalms, Proverbs, hymns and songs will also help us focus on peace – and how we can all promote peace in our families, communities, corps and churches. Indeed, throughout the whole world! Our guest writer for the Pentecost series is Lieut-Colonel Kenneth Hawkins, a UK officer serving in Kenya. I close with the words of a hymn which speaks of seeking peace in our world today. May God bless us all abundantly as we long for his peace to reign in each one of our lives: Peace in our time, O Lord, to all the peoples – peace! Peace surely based upon thy will and built in righteousness. Thy power alone can break the fetters that enchain The sorely stricken soul of life, and make it live again. (John Oxenham, SASB 1010 v 1)
Beverly A. Ivany Toronto, Canada
SATURDAY 1 MAY
PSALM 46
Pandemic God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (v 1)
WHO would have ever thought that we would experience a worldwide pandemic in our lifetime? A horrific virus, called COVID-19, bringing the world to a sudden halt. A pandemic – causing much anguish, loss, sorrow, death. Mandatory masks were to be worn, and in some circumstances also face shields and vinyl gloves. Sanitisers suddenly became an essential commodity for everyday use, along with the frequent washing of hands. Businesses closed. Travel stopped. Schools shut down. Churches shut their doors. Along with all of this came unease, stress, depression, fear, extreme loneliness. Worse still, the tragic death of loved ones. Where does one turn in such unusual circumstances? How can someone be comforted and reassured of God’s presence in the midst of such unprecedented times? The psalmist tells us God is our refuge, our strength, our help whenever trouble engulfs us. He then goes on to say this: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging (vv 2-3). God is there for us – yes, even when a fierce global pandemic strikes. And because of this assurance, we are not to fear! So then, how are we to respond to our loving, compassionate God? He gives the answer: ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (v 10). We are not to rush around, seeing what we can do to fix things. We are not to panic, wondering when things will ever end and get back to ‘normal’. We are not to worry and stress and get more anxious every day. No! We are to be still, and know … To know beyond all doubt that God is with us – forever! PRAYER Father, help me to be still before you just now. To know you are my Lord! 7
TUESDAY 31 AUGUST
PSALM 100
Thanksgiving Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise (v 4)
I THANK God for my eight grandchildren – they bring me such joy! When I’m with them, my mind often goes back to when I was a young mother of four beautiful children; then even further back to when I was a child, raised in a loving home. I think of the genes I have passed on to my grandchildren; but not just mine. They have received the genes of family members they never met, but which continue to shape them in many ways. For all children, our hearts are full of thanksgiving as we ask God to protect them from harm. I also thank God for the many blessings showered upon my life. I’m certain it’s the same for you. My heart is full of thanksgiving for: These past months. Health. Salvation. Family and friends. My church family. God’s amazing love. God’s mercy and grace. God’s abiding presence. Safety and security. Hope, joy and peace. Perhaps above all, we are thankful because we belong to the Lord: Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture (v 3). Whether it be grandchildren or the many other blessings God has given us, let’s be people with hearts full of thanksgiving: For the Lord is good and his love endures for ever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (v 5). PRAYER Father God, at the close of this edition I bring before your throne my brothers and sisters around the world. Thank you for their faithfulness, and grant to them today – and for the days that lie ahead – your wonderful joy and your perfect peace. All this I ask in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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