Tuesday 27 February 2024

Today is Tuesday the 27th of February, in the second week of Lent.


Paul Zach, IamSon and Jessica Fox sing, ‘Create in Me’, a setting of Psalm 51.

Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord
Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord
Against you only I’ve sinned
Done evil in your side
But you’ve shown me what I’ve done
With mercy in your eyes
Then wash my shame and guilty way
My wearies all renew
From all my sin into your face
Let me turn to you
Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord
Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord
So I will give you what you asked
A humble broken heart
A spirit burning down to ash
With a flame oh God
Then ask will be your mercy Lord
Transforming all of me
To every act and every way
Your love and glories speaks
Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord (Create in me a clean heart oh Lord)
Create in me
A clean heart oh Lord (Create in me a clean heart oh Lord)
Have mercy on me
According to your endless love
Have mercy on me
According to your endless love
Oh have mercy on me
According to your endless love
Have mercy on me
According to your endless love
According to your endless love
According to your endless love




Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 1: 10, 16-20

Hear the word of the Lord,
 you rulers of Sodom!
Listen to the teaching of our God,
 you people of Gomorrah!
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
 remove the evil of your doings
 from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
 learn to do good;
seek justice,
 rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
 plead for the widow.
Come now, let us argue it out,
 says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
 they shall be like snow;
though they are red like crimson,
 they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
 you shall eat the good of the land;
but if you refuse and rebel,
 you shall be devoured by the sword;
 for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Lent is a season to begin to turn away from our sin and turn again towards God. This reading is full of instructions, also invitations… ‘Come now, let us argue it out,’ says the Lord.

Perhaps there is something on your mind or in your heart that you really need to wrestle with? Perhaps an unresolved issue, or a sin that is hard to let go of.

Take a moment to name these things before God.

Another invitation is to ‘Wash yourself, make yourself clean…’

Perhaps there something that you feel you would like to have washed away, and perhaps be able to begin again with the Lord.

As you listen to the reading again, ask the Lord to speak to your heart by highlighting a phrase or word of scripture.

What stirred in you as you listened?

Take time now to be in conversation with the Lord who loves you and knows all the thoughts of your heart.


You have given all to me
To you Lord, I return it
Everything is yours, do with it what you will
Give me only your love and your grace
That is enough for me
Amen.