Thought for the Day - 17 November

Message from Session Clerk Holytown On behalf of Minister: Holytown l/w Wrangholm Parish Churches Thought for the Day – Tuesday 17th November 2020 Hebrews 13 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. Psalm 146 7 He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The LORD frees the prisoners. For today’s reading, I could happily have included every verse of Psalm 146 rather than verse 7 only. Please read it in your own time and you will see clearly what I mean. We continue with Prisoners Week and you will see our first reading each day will be verse 3 from Hebrews chapter 13 to remind us that, as Christians, this is something we must do (remember those in prison as if we were there ourselves) because God tells us throughout the bible from Genesis to Revelation that it is the right thing to do. Our second reading will be from one of the other parts of the bible where prison, prisoners or the justice system get a mention. We see each day in this life the inherent flaws of mankind, the inherent sin and the inherent inability to get things right. This is not an opinion, this is a fact and is an inheritance stemming from the sin of Adam. It is no surprise then that the judicial system is similarly flawed meaning there will be folks guilty of crime being pardoned and folks innocent of crime being convicted as well as folks being sentenced justly for the crimes they have committed. It is not something new, it is something that can be traced back to the very early books of the old testament. Psalm 146 clearly warns us not to put our confidence in powerful people because when they die, all their plans will die with them so this is one of the reasons we should put our trust in the eternal God because He keeps His promises forever. It once again shows us that God is aware of prisoners and their plight and consistently includes them in His plans and prophecies and by His grace, offers freedom from all past mistakes. Prayer Heavenly Father, help us resist the temptations of this world and place all our trust in you, for You are the one true God who has made heaven and earth, the sea and everything therein. Lord we know that You keep every promise forever and lift the spirits of those who are weighed down with the problems of this life. Hear us this day as we call out to you. Amen