Worship for the week beginning 4th July 2021

This week there appears to be a common theme running through these readings. In 2 Samuel 5, David becomes king over the tribes of Israel, this same David whose choice by God (1 Samuel 16) is a surprise to Samuel and Jesse. Yet it is David who according to the scriptures, will be “shepherd of my people Israel” (2 Samuel 7:8). We similarly look at the people of Nazareth who “took offence” at Jesus, just as the Lord had warned Ezekiel the people of Israel would reject his word.’’ Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for the house of Israel;’’ (Ezekiel 3:17). Jesus is rejected not only in Nazareth but also in Jerusalem, despite the declaration in Psalm 48:14: “This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide for evermore. When they are in pairs, they could encourage one another. When you have no one to talk to things became very difficult.  This is affirmed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9. when the Lord says to him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness”. So, Paul can be content with the insults and persecutions as in 2 Cor 12: 10. “For whenever I am weak, then I am strong”.

God design is that during hard times, it is important to have a team ministry to pray and support each other. The bible is filled with many examples of team ministry or working in pairs. And I think there is a good sense in that. No amount of work depends on one single individual. It is a teamwork, team ministry.  Including sole entrepreneurs’ a type of small business. There is relevant meaning for pairs.  For example, Moses and Aaron, David and Jonathan, Elijah, and Elisha; Paul and Timothy, John Mark, and Barnabas etc soulmates who developed careers alongside each other as they grew. Do you have a soul friend confidant? Loyalty is essential to a successful relationship, ministry, or business. Jesus was telling his disciples that ‘as God has provided in the past, so he will provide for them’.

Think for a moment and be grateful for having certain things provided to you even when your list is expected. Be grateful for those things you have that others do not have. Confess your ungratefulness. By the way imagine when quite often going for a trip how many things do you carry in your bags that you don’t require and return with them untouched?

This is unsurprising; the Israelites spent years as desert nomads and so developed the custom of hospitality, and here is another parallel to the Exodus, with God providing enough manna each day for everyone. So, as we journey together in the journey of reimagining our circuit God sees our struggles, our worries, and our fears. So, then it is good we keep reminding ourselves, as God has been able to meet the needs of his people in the past and so will he for our needs in the present. Aren’t we blessed? Amen.