“Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land,” ELW 333
Devotion
Refrain
Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
a weary land, a weary land;
my Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
a shelter in a time of storm.
No one can do like Jesus,
not a mumbling word he said;
he went walking down to Lazarus' grave,
and he raised him from the dead. Refrain
When Jesus was on earth,
the flesh was very weak;
he took a towel and girded himself
and he washed his disciples' feet. Refrain
Yonder comes my Savior,
him whom I love so well;
he has the palm of victory
and the keys of death and hell. Refrain
Yesterday we saw the hope that the refrain of this hymn drives home—almost a mantra that one can sing to oneself when feeling weary. When we look to the verses we find examples of Jesus' great work: raising Lazarus from the dead, becoming a servant to his followers by washing their feet, overcoming death and rising from hell. The verses wrap up the saving power of Jesus’ ministry on earth in three short statements—all framed by the truth of Jesus as a rock. Through any weakness we have a God who stands strong with us, who is willing to go to the depths of hell to save us even when we are weak and weary.
Prayer
God, you are our ever present help in trouble. Because of your saving powers we are able to stand strong when faced with too much. When life is overwhelming, remind us of your love. Remind us how you raised Lazarus, how you conquered death for us. Be ever present in our weary land. Amen.