Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling, ELW 582 & LBW 523
Holy Spirit, ever dwelling
in the holiest realms of light;
Holy Spirit, ever brooding
o'er a world of gloom and night;
Holy Spirit, ever raising
those of earth to thrones on high;
living, life imparting Spirit,
you we praise and magnify.
Holy Spirit, ever living
as the church's very life;
Holy Spirit, ever striving
through us in a ceaseless strife;
Holy Spirit, ever forming
in the church the mind of Christ;
you we praise with endless worship
for your gifts and fruits unpriced.
Holy Spirit, ever working
through the church's ministry;
quick'ning, strength'ning, and absolving,
setting captive sinners free;
Holy Spirit, ever binding
age to age and soul to soul
in communion never ending,
you we worship and extol.
Devotion
This week’s texts evoke a montage of true-to-life scenarios:
Imagine that you are the man from Mark’s gospel: is there anything that can draw you back to Jesus after your sense of importance has been challenged?
Imagine that you are the one at the foot of the throne, as in the Hebrews text: after your faults have been exposed and dissected by God’s convicting word, how can you possibly be found worthy?
Imagine that you are the one, like the Psalmist, whose days – though packed full of activities – feel strangely empty: what can bring meaning and purpose to your life?
Imagine that you are the one facing a difficult choice to stand up for what you believe in: where will you find the strength to do what is right?
The answer might be found in this hymn: it is through the constant gracious presence of the Holy Spirit that we are called, gathered, enlightened and sanctified – in short, prepared for whatever life brings to us. Thankfully we are not left to go it alone.
Prayer
Dwell within me, Holy Spirit, so that my words and deeds might be guided by your presence. Amen.