Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling, ELW 608
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me.
See, on the portals he's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.
"Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home!"
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, "O sinner, come home!"
Why should we worry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and for me?
"Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home!"
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, "O sinner, come home!"
Oh, for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me.
"Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home!"
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, "O sinner, come home!"
Devotion
Come home, come home. You who are weary come home. It takes a lot of work to stay away from God. Our hearts have a hole that can only be filled by a relationship with God and yet we struggle mightily to replace God’s love with nearly anything else. I love the simple and constant plea from God found in this hymn: Come home. Come to the place of healing and life. If you are weary, you just need to come home for rest. This is also the good news we share with our neighbors who are struggling. We share the Gospel of the salvation found only in our God who calls out to us.
Prayer
Constant God, give us ears to hear your leading. You call us to lay every burden on you, so give us the courage to listen and follow. Thank you for your guidance and protection. In Christ’s name, Amen.