[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during January 2026]
It’s over for another year. The festivities for Christmas and the New Year are once again behind us – now just a memory, except for those less-than-subtle reminders that will be arriving in our letter boxes during the next few weeks. We can at least be grateful that we are not responsible for supplying the provisions for Solomon’s household.
One day’s food supply for Solomon’s household was: 185 bushels[1] of fine flour 375 bushels of meal 10 grain-fed cattle 20 range cattle 100 sheep and miscellaneous deer, gazelles, roebucks, and choice fowl.
1 Kings 4 v22-23 [The Message]
Celebrations were regular occasions in Old Testament times, both in the liturgical calendar of the Israelites and in the secular programmes of the nations around them. The apostle Paul referred to them when writing to the church in Colossae:
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
Colossians 2 v16 [NIVUK]
Of themselves, celebrations and festivities are not wrong but they do present opportunities for over-indulgence and the loss of self-control. Job was aware of this risk when his children held their birthday parties and he was concerned about the potential consequences of their behaviour
Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular custom.
Job 1 v5 [NIVUK]
Do we know anyone who has enjoyed the recent festivities rather too enthusiastically? Perhaps a similar prayer would be appropriate.
Jesus told a story about a young man who used his family’s resources to celebrate unwisely yet, when he repented, his father forgave him and welcomed him back home with a celebration. Earlier Jesus had spoken about a celebration amongst the angels in heaven.
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15 v10 [NIVUK]
Have you been a cause for angelic celebration?
John the visionary wrote about the ultimate celebration:
And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
Revelation 19 v6-7 [NKJV]
Will you be there?
References:
[1] a bushel is equal to 8 gallons (36.4 litres), used for corn, fruit, liquids, etc
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Previous reflection: A Birthday Prayer
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys
Happy New Year Steve and thank you for your faithful reflections over the year. We really appreciate your words of wisdom from the Bible. May they continue in 2026!