‘London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down… my fair lady’. It’s just a nursery rhyme, but over the past few weeks it seems eerily close to the truth. Every day there seems to be a new report of some atrocity happening in the English capital. But it’s not just London, war in Syria continues apace, school children in the Philippines are targeted by militants, a bomb is detonated at a Belgian railway station, North Korean officials continue their oppression and sabre-rattling unhindered, and ordinary people suffer.

Closer to home, friends and family do battle with poor health and systemic injustice. Is this the way the world is meant to be? ‘Lord’, I say to myself, ‘I’ve had enough. I want to get off’.

I wake this morning and make Anna a cup of coffee. She receives it with a smile as she makes ready for work. She kisses me goodbye as I leave the house to take Moogie for a brisk walk. It’s quiet and dark and as I walk the sun gently begins to paint the sky red and orange with soft blue grey streaks. Indeed, I am blessed. God is good., ‘You know what?’, I say to myself, ‘I wouldn’t be dead for quids’.

We live in a world marred by sin. We live in a world under judgement, subject to the curse. It’s not the way it should be. We also live in God’s good world, enveloped by his grace. It’s not the end. God will renew all things through his Son. So today we pray, ‘Come Lord Jesus, come soon. Amen’.