“The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” ELW 502 & LBW 456
1 The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine forever.
2 Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.
3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
4 In death's dark vale I fear no ill,
with thee, dear Lord, beside me,
thy rod and staff my comfort still;
thy cross before to guide me.
5 Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
thine unction grace bestoweth;
and, oh, what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
6 And so, through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.
Devotion
In Henri Nouwen’s book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, the famous Gospel story is viewed through the perspective of a man (Nouwen) who can relate to both brothers, not just the prodigal. Nouwen admits that at times he has left the comfort of home only to become lost and in need of being found. However, he can perhaps relate more closely to the older brother who has remained in his father’s home, doing all that was asked of him, yet becoming self-righteous and resentful. As Nouwen writes about himself in light of both brothers’ predicaments:
“I cannot forgive myself. I cannot make myself feel loved. By myself I cannot leave the land of anger. I cannot bring myself home…I must be found and brought home by the shepherd who goes out to me. The story of the prodigal son is the story of a God who goes searching for me and who doesn’t rest until he has found me.”
Prayer
Holy God, we confess that at times we have run away and tried living on our own. We also admit that we often become obsessed with our good works and believe we are better than others. Forgive us for the many ways we have taken too much control of our lives. Thank you for searching for us and welcoming us home. Amen.