DAILY REFLECTION

Friday 20th September

Reading: Psalm 17

1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.

3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.

6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.

8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,

Reflection: Psalm 17:1-3, 6-8 is a heartfelt prayer from David, asking God to hear his cry for justice. He asks God to look at his life and know that he has tried to live honestly (as we try to, as well).

David trusts that God will answer him because of His great love. We can trust that God hears us too even when he appears to be silent! He asks God to protect him from all that might harm him. Let’s ask him to protect us as well!

Thought for the day: God hears our honest prayers. When we live with integrity, we can trust that He will be there to protect and guide us, just like He did with David.

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Thursday 19th September

Reading: Psalm 118 1-2, 17-20

1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”

17 I shall not die, but I shall live
and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has punished me severely,
but he did not give me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.

20 This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.

Reflection: The Psalm reminds us that the love and grace of God and the power of faith will always be there to overcome the trials we face. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever." We are encouraged and learn to trust when life feels overwhelming as we 'give thanks'. In verse 17, "I shall not die, but live," reminds us that we only live fully in him. The gates of righteousness (v. 19) invite us to walk as has called us in his light and truth in all we do.

Thought for the day: Let gratitude shape our view of today, even in challenges because that way he opens the path to life in every event we face.
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Wednesday 18th September

Reading: Psalm 33. The Greatness and Goodness of God

1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
Praise befits the upright.
2 Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made
and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
he put the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him,
9 for he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

Reflection: Psalm 33:1-12 is a joyful celebration of God's power and faithfulness. It begins by urging us to praise the Lord with music and songs.

The psalm emphasises that God's word is true, and everything He does is right and just. His love fills the earth. that includes you and me. The psalm reminds us of God in creation. It reminds us that God's plans stand firm forever, while human plans can fail. Those who trust in God, he promises to bless. He is our help and shield in times of trouble.

Thought for the day: Trust in God’s plans for your life today. No matter how uncertain life may seem, remember that God's love will never change.

Have a great day!

Peter
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Tuesday 17th September

Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
come into his presence with singing.

3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him; bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever
and his faithfulness to all generations

Reflection:

Psalm 100 is a joyful call to worship God with gladness and thanksgiving. It reminds us that we belong to God—He made us, and we are His people, like sheep in His care. The psalm urges everyone to enter God's presence with joyful praise, recognizing that His love and faithfulness endure forever and to tell out to ourselves and others that God is our Creator and will keep us.

The simplicity of the psalm's message is powerful: no matter what we face, we are called to worship with a heart full of joy, because God will never stop loving us.

Thought for the day: Start each day with a heart of gratitude and 

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Monday 16th September

Reading: Ps 40.8-10

8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

Reflection: David delights to serve God in his life whether he is in the palace or hiding in a cave. He loves Gods teachings and finds joy in living them out. It's the heart's obedience that matters. He wants to tell others how God's faithfulness, love to him, to all. It inspires and encourages us to live sincerely, following God’s path and sharing His goodness openly for he is there, today, for each one of us.

Thought for the day: Let us stir up our faith today by living out God’s will with joy and sharing His love and faithfulness with others.

Have a great day.

Revd Peter