Wednesday 13 March 2024

Today is Wednesday the 13th of March, in the fourth week of Lent.


Jon Guerra sings, ‘Declaring Glory’. In today’s passage we will hear of nature breaking forth and singing of God’s comfort and compassion. Are you able to join in with this song today?

When I was young
You woke me with the sound of song
The wind and rhythm drew me along
I echoed in the hymn of the dawn
I turned, and turned
This dance that all the planets learned
In circles, 'round the stars as they burned
I praise You as I orbit and turn
Declaring glory, glory
Declaring glory, glory
The mountains rise
The forests grow before my eyes
The moments and the seasons in mind
Then turn again, embracing the tide
The waters fall
And carve their way across my soil
Their canyons cutting deep in my soul
I praise You while the rivers still roar
Declaring glory, glory
Declaring glory, glory
New life begins
Your creatures dance across my skin
Like me, they have Your Spirit within
But soon they fade away as I spin
They fall to dust
And dress me in decay and rust
Their secrets buried deep in my crust
I praise You in the layers of dust
Declaring glory, glory
Declaring glory, glory
All the rocks wear down
Beneath passing of the crowds
The rivers run until they run out
I praise You till my fire's run out
I praise You till my fire's run out
I praise You till my fire's run out
I'll praise my Maker in every age
I'll praise my Maker in every age
I'll praise my Maker in every age (glory, glory)
I'll praise my Maker in every age (glory, glory)




Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 49:8-15

Thus says the Lord:
In a time of favour I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you;
I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people,
to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages;
saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out’, to those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’
They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights shall be their pasture;
they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down,
for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.
And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up.
Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west,
 and these from the land of Syene.
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones.
But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.’
Can a woman forget her nursing-child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb?
Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

Today you are reminded that the Lord promises to keep, help and comfort you.

Think about times the Lord has answered your prayers and helped you.

What do you want to say to God about his care?

Say it now.

God promises springs of water along the way that leads you home.

On your journey of faith, where do you need a spring of water to refresh you?

Ask the Lord for this help.

Listen for the Lord’s response.

‘Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!’

As you listen again, imagine the sound of the heavens and earth singing for joy.

In these final moments, allow yourself to be held and cradled by the One who says: ‘I will not forget you’.

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.