O God, My Faithful God, verse 4, ELW 806 & LBW 504 (NRSV)
Read O God, My Faithful God, verse 4, ELW 806 & LBW 504 on biblegateway.com
Devotion
In an old German hymn are the words of the final verse: "When dangers gather round, oh, keep me calm and fearless, help me to bear the cross, when life seems dark and cheerless." We would like to think times have changed from 17th century Europe so that we do not need to pray in song to keep us calm and fearless. Yet we can sense the danger and uncertainty of our times.
But the hymn writers call us not to cower in fear nor arm ourselves in defense, but rather to ask God to help us bear the cross. The cross is the great sign that God is with us, though it may seem dark and cheerless at times. The cross is the sign of Christ's triumph over all that might cause us to live in fear. To bear the cross is not to bear a burden; it is a banner of hope and new life.
Prayer
Lord, help us to bear the cross and live at peace in you that our world of danger and uncertainty would have no power to cause us to fear. But rather help us lift high your cross. Amen.