Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, 'Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.' Then they said to him, 'What must we do to perform the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.' So they said to him, 'What sign are you going to give us then so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat." ' Then Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.'

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

At weddings and funerals the most commonly asked for hymn here in Wales is "Bread of heaven" - the local name given to 'Guide me, O thou great Redeemer'. If this is going to be sung then in good Welsh fashion it will raise the roof. It's sad with Covid-19 we cannot sing this lovely hymn together.

The imagery in the hymn shows us the Hebrew people struggling to find food and water in the desert having left Egypt where they had been slaves. God fed them with manna, and led them by fire and a pillar of cloud. The words of the hymn were written by William Williams in the 18th century, and for Christians of course they have a different meaning. Jesus says he is the "bread of heaven". When we feed on him, (when we accept His offer of eternal life), then we will never be spiritually hungry again. Our promised land is Heaven! I have put the hymn below so you can sing it for yourself:

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty,
hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through;
strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield,
be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side;
songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.

Sunday 2nd August, follow up thoughts

Great Redeemer,
guide us to Your promised land.
When we are weak and our faith fails us,
give us the confidence to rest in You
and Your promise of eternal life,
so that we may sing Your praise.
Amen.