This Is My Father’s World, ELW 824 & LBW 554
1 This is my Father's world, and to my list'ning ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world; I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.
2 This is my Father's world; the birds their carols raise; the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world; he shines in all that's fair.
In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me ev'rywhere.
3 This is my Father's world; oh, let me not forget that, though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world; why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let heaven ring; God reigns, let earth be glad!
Devotion
Years ago, my family was coming home from church still humming lines from hymns and liturgies that morning. My little sister burst out in a line of, “This is my daddy’s world!” It was the perfect mix of youthful exuberance, naļve misunderstanding, and declaration of faith that only a little one can perfectly make. Ever since that morning, I have never heard this hymn the same way.
It is this closeness to God that drove Jesus to refer to his Father as Abba, Papa, Daddy. We are invited into this divine relationship with just such a level of intimacy. Our God is not a distant deity, shaking a finger at us from afar. This is our Daddy, and this is his world! Why should my heart be sad? He loves us deeply and is always near us, constantly reaching out to us through creation and our neighbor. What a blessing to have our God beside us in all things, caring for us like the loving Daddy he is.
Prayer
Abba, we are overwhelmed with joy in your presence. Thank you for loving us, and grant us always the grace we need for this day. Amen.