St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh
Midweek Devotion 5th January 2023
Led by Rev Douglas Nicol
The Psalmist wrote: ‘Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.’ (Psalm 100)
Let us worship God.
Scripture Reading
Our Scripture reading comes from I John, chapter 3, verses 18 to 24:
‘Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given.’
Reflection
Martin Luther King, Jr, spoke these words: ‘I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear’.
Our Scripture Reading for this first Midweek Devotion of the New Year focusses on love – with the powerful reminder to all that our love is not only to be spoken about but also lived out in truth and action.
In recent days we have enjoyed our celebration of Christmas when we remembered in the words of the hymn that ‘Love came down at Christmas’. Jesus Christ, the babe born in Bethlehem’s stable came both as a gift of love from God and to give us a supreme example of a life of love … in teaching, helping and caring. We only need think of parables He taught such as ‘The Good Samaritan’ to remind ourselves of the way in which we should ‘put ourselves out’ in the service of others.
As we look forward to the unfolding days of 2023 may we resolve to put love – the love of Jesus - into action. Why don’t we, at the beginning of each new day, decide the loving action we will commit ourselves to doing? … making a phone call, giving to charity, being friendly to a neighbour, and over 300 more!
In doing so we’ll find our blessing, and know the truth of the hymn based on the Shepherd Psalm:
The King of Love my Shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine for ever.
And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever!
May we all live out love in truth and action!
Prayer
Let us pray:
God of all goodness and grace,
You are worthy of a greater love
than we can either give or understand.
Fill our hearts with such love for you,
that nothing may seem too hard for us
to do or to suffer
in obedience to your will.
And grant that, loving you,
we may daily become more like you,
and finally obtain the crown of life
which you have promised
to those who love you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We commend to your generous goodness
all those who are in any way
afflicted and distressed,
especially those whose lives are being shattered by war.
Comfort and relieve them
according to their individual needs;
give them patience under their sufferings,
and a happy release out of all their afflictions.
all this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ.
We remember before You this day
our families and loved ones.
May they know of Your hope and love
as they journey through their lives.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever,
Amen.
Benediction
The guarding of the God of life be on you,
the guarding of the loving Christ be on you,
the guarding of the Holy Spirit be on you
to aid you and enfold you
each day and night of your lives.
Amen.
Organ Music
J.S.Bach In dir ist Freude