O Jesus, I have Promised, ELW 810 & LBW 503
1 O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
remain forever near me, my master and my friend.
I shall not fear the battle if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.
2 Oh, let me feel you near me; the world is ever near.
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
but, Jesus, then draw nearer to shield my soul from sin.
3 Oh, let me hear you speaking in accents clear and still
above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will.
Now speak to reassure me, to hasten or control.
now speak and make me listen, O Guardian of my soul.
4 O Jesus, you have promised to all who follow you
that where you are in glory your servant shall be too.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
oh, give me grace to follow, my master and my friend.
Devotion
Prayer and service in light of God’s abundance seem to be my theme for this past week of sharing with you. So it seems fitting to use this hymn today, not just for the words of comfort that it brings us, but also for the reminder that as followers of Jesus we have promised to live like he has shown us. By serving those in need, we will be serving Jesus. Lord knows, we all fall short of serving our neighbors well. But as the last line of this hymn reminds us, we continually offer up the prayer for God’s grace to show us how to follow, how to love, how to serve. And this promise we seek to fulfill, even as we are wrapped in God’s promise to us: life on earth and in heaven, with Jesus by our side. Amen!
Prayer
Eternal God, your promises to us are so great! Be our constant guide as we seek to be faithful followers of you in this world. Amen.