14th-20th July 2025
The afternoon of the day that Jesus rose from the dead he took the occasion to give a little survey of the Old Testament to explain the great significance it was now going to have in the disciples’ lives. He did it again in the evening with the larger group.
New Testament writers like Paul and Peter were great fans of the Old Testament and quoted the prophets to make significant points. Paul even went on to say (in Romans 15:4) that
‘Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.’
So why would you want to be just a New Testament Christian (!) when we can feed our souls with the good food from the Old Testament too? Paul tells us that the Old Testament will help us understand that our righteousness comes from God by faith, it will help to equip us to do Christian work, and it will protect our hearts from evil. Indeed, it also helps to understand Christ's death and resurrection.
So, this week as we pray, let's allow the Old Testament to nourish our souls as we turn to God to express our thanks and tell him about our needs.
Written by David Wilson
MONDAY
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honoured his name.
Malachi 3:16
Here, the Old Testament is closing. The days seem dark. The exiles have returned to Jerusalem, but it didn't quite work out because they didn’t come back in obedience. The one big thing that was missing was a Messiah. However, the few people who stuck with faith in the Lord, despite those difficult circumstances, had the habit of chatting together. And the Lord took note.
Heavenly Father, how amazing that you keep a record of when your children simply talk to each other about the Christian family business and about the kingdom of God. Some of us keep journals that will eventually fade away and be forgotten. Maybe we will be forgotten too. But you will not forget us, you will not forget our names and you've even got them in your journal. Thank you, Lord, for the everlasting perspective that you give to our lives – and to my life. Amen.
TUESDAY
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4,5
This is the passage that shouts out ‘Jesus’ from every verse – so much so that it's the one where Philip chose to begin bringing the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch. We rightly treasure this record that Jesus died for our sins but that's not all. He died also to bear our sorrows. He didn't just die for our sins and leave us to deal with the sorrows. Some sorrows are a result of sin, but some are ongoing sorrows we seem to carry through life. But we have somebody who has opted to carry them for us.
Lord, you know the things I carry. You know them very well because you died to deal with my pain as well as my sin. Thank you that you've come alongside me in this way, not to make me a happy-clappy Christian but to give me an understanding that you've seen it all and you've borne it all. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Daniel 12:3
An acquaintance who worked in the entertainment industry was talking one day about her workplace. She said, ‘My husband and I work in a theatre that is very spiritually dark, it is occultic – you wouldn't believe it. But (and it’s a big ‘but’) things are so dark that we shine very, very brightly!’
I acknowledge that you're the Lord of heaven and earth because I need your help to live in a world that seems to get darker every day – maybe it's my imagination. But I love the idea that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. When I lead people to righteousness I will shine like the stars forever and ever. O Lord, I leave it up to you to bring people across my path where I can shine on them now. Amen.
THURSDAY
I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
Job 19:25-27
Some years ago, one of our valued Agapé colleagues, a highly competent Christian worker, came into the office one morning and recited this passage from Job. She had experienced significant trauma in her family, and she said, ‘Because of this passage I can hold on. I do believe in the afterlife, I do believe God has a plan for me, I do believe in resurrection’. Sometimes we just need to ‘hold on’ to a Bible verse like that.
Lord, you know that some days just about all I can do is hold on. Thank you for giving me the leeway to just do that – to hold on to you and your promises even though I don't see the future. I don't know how it's going to work out, but I am determined to hold on. And Lord, if I slip thank you, thank you that you hold on to me. Amen.
FRIDAY
Those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
This chapter in Isaiah launches God’s comfort to the people of Jerusalem who have got downhearted and have become used to second class living. The Lord promises that now is the time when they can not just fly but soar with wings like eagles; they will not just run any old way but they will be able to run with stamina; they will be able to walk and keep going. This is God's promise which extends to us now. We can have that spiritual energy which can't be explained apart from God's intervention in our lives.
Lord, you know me through and through even before I open my mouth to make a request. You understand what I need – and what I need is extra oomph. I need to be able to do some things I've never attempted before. There are people I need to speak to and I'm not quite sure how to go about it. What I need is extra spiritual energy and wisdom beyond my experience so far. Thank you that I can step forward into today completely confident that you've got my back and you will provide what I need the moment I need it. Amen.
SATURDAY
As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” She said, “May your servant find favour in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.
1 Samuel 1:12-18
A disadvantaged woman with a silent prayer. You could see Hannah's mouth moving but you couldn't see what was in her heart. Eli came to the wrong conclusions, but God intervened in her life. Like Jesus said, “Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”.
My Father, what a relief that I can express absolutely anything to you in confidence. There are certain prayer requests that I am not going to share in public, not even in a home group. And there are certain private things that I need to talk with you about today. You know what they are. I'm going to say, ‘Not my will but yours be done’. You have such a track-record in my life that I can leave it with you to sort out the desires of my heart and the best outcome. Amen.
SUNDAY
May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17
My wife Pam and I once had the responsibility of running a HR department that was interviewing new missionary candidates. Not all the hopefuls made the grade. At the end of that period, I realized that I had a pile of personnel files, 80% of which needed to be shredded for data protection. The day came. As I shredded them, I realized a lot of our work in that two years was disappearing. This psalm made more sense than ever before - ‘Establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands’.
Lord of the harvest, I set before you today my busy life. Most of it nobody sees but you see it all. Sometimes it's hard to imagine what difference my day’s work has made in this world. Nobody else will ever know but you know just how much work I put in. Honestly, I do it not because there's somebody watching but because you're watching. And I like that. Amen.