SONGS FOR PRAYER

reading for: Tuesday Night, 9 JANUARY

John 1:43-51

• READ

  Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

  43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

  Commentary:

  The fullness of Jesus’ identity is the centrepiece of this passage. Jesus is first revealed as ‘him whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote’ (v45). Philip recognised Jesus because he was looking for him. And not only that, but Philip wasn’t looking for just any prophetic figure or Messiah, this person had to fit-in with what the scripture of Israel had described him to be. (see Deut. 18:15-16, 19, 2 Sam. 7:12-16, Ps 2:7-9, Ps 89:3-4).

  Next, Jesus is referred by Philip as ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph’ (v45). This must have been a surprise to Philip and many others, because they might have had other higher expectations of the Messiah’s family background and the hometown from which he came. Hence the question from Nathanael ‘can anything good come out of Nazareth’ (v46). Jesus’ humble and human origins made Nathanael initially scoff at Philip’s invitation to come and see Jesus.

  Then in their conversation, Nathanael, not only acknowledges Jesus as Rabbi (teacher), he somehow arrives at the conclusion that this Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Son of God and King of Israel (Messiah) (v.49). But Jesus corrects Nathanael and goes further to reveal his divine authority – Jesus is also the ‘Son of Man’ figure found in the book of Daniel.

  Jesus’ declaration that Nathanael will “see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (v51), is a blend of two images – one of Jacob’s dream at Bethel (Gen 28:12-15) and the second, Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man’s dominion over all nations (Daniel 7:13-14).

  In Jacob’s dream, right after he sees the ladder and angels ascending and descending on it (an image depicting the activity and Presence of God) The Lord reveals Himself as the God of Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham, and then covenants with Jacob, just as he did with Abraham, affirming Jacob that his descendants will inherit the land.   

  In Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man’s dominion, he sees ‘one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven’. He approaches the ‘Ancient of Days’ and he is given authority over all nations and is worshipped by all.

  In short, Jesus is saying that not only is He Israel’s Messiah, He is God’s Divine Representative who possesses divine authority over all other nations and is worthy of worship.

• REFLECT

Who is Jesus to you? A humble Rabbi - teacher of good moral principles and values? A saviour who is your substitute, who takes on the consequences of sin on your behalf so you can escape it? A prophet? A historical figure? Or is He the living God, come in the flesh, with power and authority over all Creation and worthy of your worship and obedience?

reading for: Wednesday Night, 10 JANUARY

1 Samuel 3:1-20

• READ
  Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1–20

  1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” 15 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17 And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.” 19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD.

  Commentary

  Samuel was a young man who was ministering to the Lord in the temple, learning from Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days and seeing visions was rare. In those days, Eli was in his old age, and he was lying down in his own place. Samuel was also lying down in the temple of the Lord.

  The Lord called to Samuel three times and three times Samuel mistook it for the call of Eli and ran to Eli. Eli said that he did not call for Samuel and told him to lie down again the first two times. On the third time, Eli perceived that the Lord was calling Samuel and told Samuel that if the Lord calls him again, he was to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”. Samuel then went to lie down again for the third time.

  The Lord called for Samuel again and Samuel said the words, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”. The Lord then made known to Samuel the purpose of calling him. The Lord told him that he was about to do a thing that all will tingle. He was going to bring about on the house of Eli as he had spoken concerning his house. The Lord will punish the house of Eli forever because of the iniquity that Eli knew that his sons were doing, but yet he did not restrain them. This iniquity was not going to be atoned by sacrifice and offering forever.

  The next morning, Samuel open the doors of the house of the Lord and was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. Eli called Samuel and wanted him not to hide the vision from him but to tell him. Samuel thus told Eli all that the Lord had spoken. Eli merely remarked, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him”. Samuel continued to grow, and the Lord was with him and did not let any of his words fall to the ground.

  Eli was a servant of the Lord; he knew what to do and not do. He failed to restrain his children from their evil. He did not put a stop to their blasphemy. Even after Samuel received the vision of the Lord, which he told Samuel to tell him. He did not act but merely stood aside and was resigned to the fate of his household. He could have called his sons and punished his sons for their actions after Samuel’s vision but chose not to. Thus, destruction was bound to come on the house of Eli, and this is precisely what happened later on in the story.

• REFLECT

  As we begin this year, let us be a positive influence on our family and friends around us. Let us learn to discern the voice of the Lord in our lives and in the lives of others. We must not be afraid to speak the words of the Lord to them. Also, let us be willing to receive the words from the Lord that the Lord calls them to speak into our lives. Let us be open to his words and heed them, no matter who the agent or vessel may be.

  Pray for a heart of openness to be open to hear the words of the Lord. Pray that once we hear the words of the Lord, we will obey him. Pray that we will have the courage to speak words of truth to our friends.

reading for: Thursday Night, 11 JANUARY

1 Cor 6:12-20

READ

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Commentary

People treat their bodies very differently in this world. Some take great care of it while others reject, abuse or abandon it. Those who stand-by self-care, have a variety of reasons they do so, ranging from good personal hygiene to cultivating good habits to extreme body-building. Others hurt or abuse their bodies in different ways, also for various reasons, some out of fear of not having a disciplined body, while others for the pleasures of gratifying the desires of the flesh. The ways it is done is also varied - some hurt themselves mentally and emotionally while others physically.

How is the Christian to relate his or her body? What constitutes over-pampering and what constitutes sinful neglect and abuse?

Since chapter 5 in 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul has his eye trained on the moral and ethical problems that are attacking the Church in Corinth and there has been immorality being tolerated in the Church (5:1-13). He issues a stern warning in chapter 6:1-11 about living in unity in ways that are congruent with having become the children of God. This safeguards their inheritance - God’s kingdom. In today’s passage he elaborates with illustration and admonition.

He begins by agreeing with the Corinthians on their freedom in Christ. “All things are lawful for me” (6:12). But knowing how there are some who are abusing this freedom to hurt themselves and others, he continues with “not all things are helpful” (v12). The Corinthians seem to think freedom in Christ is freedom from all judgment and all morality. They have been ‘dominated’ by this way of thinking, which is fleshly and of their old sinful nature. They don’t see freedom in Christ as freedom to live free of their bondage to sin and destructive habits and patterns and for the purposes of God. Paul quotes those in the church who insist that “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”, that they are living as they should. Then he counters their way of thinking by saying that “God will destroy both one and the other.” Pointing out that if they choose to remain in this lifestyle and continue to be dominated by their desire to satisfy sin nature, God will destroy them - the instruments of sinful desire along with the sinful desire itself (v13). Then he makes the point that “the body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” And just as God raised Christ from the dead, he will also do this for those who remain faithful to him. (v13-14)

Being Christians, they have become spiritually connected to Christ, as the Head of His Body – the Church and therefore as members of His Body, they need to live pure and holy lives. this means they must ‘flee from sexual immorality’ (v15-18). In verses 19-20, he gives the final basis for living in purity and holiness – that they carry God’s presence with them (Holy Spirit) and they (and their bodies) have been purchased with a price and therefore they belong to God and are to use their bodies not for themselves but for purposes that bring glory to God. (v19-20).

REFLECT

This year, what is one small step you can make and consistently practice to help your body honour God? Who can help you in this?

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 12 JANUARY

Psalm 139:1-18

• READ

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1          O LORD, you have examined my heart

                        and know everything about me.

2          You know when I sit down or stand up.

                        You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

3          You see me when I travel

                        and when I rest at home.

                        You know everything I do.

4          You know what I am going to say

                        even before I say it, LORD.

5          You go before me and follow me.

                        You place your hand of blessing on my head.

6          Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

                        too great for me to understand!

13        You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

                        and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14        Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

                        Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

15        You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

                        as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

16        You saw me before I was born.

                        Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

            Every moment was laid out

                        before a single day had passed.

17        How precious are your thoughts about me,a O God.

                        They cannot be numbered!

18        I can’t even count them;

                        they outnumber the grains of sand!

            And when I wake up,

                        you are still with me!

Do you know how much you are loved by your Heavenly Father? Do you know that you are your Heavenly Father’s beloved?

Deep within our hearts and souls all of us long to be known deeply. Through David, whose name meant the beloved, we can catch a glimpse of our Father’s love for us.

Firstly, this transcendent and all powerful God actually cares about us and has searched our hearts - every corner and every inch. And he knows us through and through (v. 1).

He doesn't just know our general whereabouts, He watches and knows the moment we stand or sit. Even when we seek to run from Him, He knows our thoughts (v.2).

He doesn't just watch our momentary actions, He sees, watches and observes our movements, from home, to school, to work, to cafes (v.3).

He even knows what we’re about to say. Like a long time married couple who are able to read and predict each other’a movements and thoughts. Or BFFs who can finish off each other’s sentences. (V.4)

Why does our Heavenly Father do this? So that He can go before you and with you, ensuring His unfailing love through His hand of blessing is with you. (V.5)

Why would you God who is Almighty and Powerful, bother with someone like me? Why would the Creator of Heavens and the Earth care about such details of my life? It just blows my mind away (v. 6).

The truth is even before you were born, you were already in your Father’s thoughts (v.16). Your precious life was already planned and laid out like a Master Architect would plan and design a building.

The nurturing process started in your mother’s womb (v.13). Every part of you, your organs, your eyes, your skin, your tiny hairs were put together by your Heavenly Father. (V.14).

And as you began to come together, He watched and made sure everything went according to His design (v.15).

• REFLECT

  Your life is not an accident. You are not an accident. You were purposefully thought of, planned for and made. You are loved by God your Father.

  Take a moment to receive that in your heart. Take time to appreciate that and acknowledge that.