All Depends on Our Possessing, ELW 589
All depends on our possessing
God's free grace and constant blessing,
though all earthly wealth depart.
They who trust with faith unshaken
by their God are not forsaken
and will keep a dauntless heart.
God, who hitherto has fed me
and to many joys has led me,
is and ever shall be mine.
God, who did so gently school me
and who daily guides and rules me,
will remain my help divine.
When with sorrow I am stricken,
hope my heart anew will quicken,
all my longing shall be stilled.
To your lovingkindness tender
all my being I surrender;
Lord, on you alone I build.
Well you know what best to grant me;
all the longing hopes that haunt me,
joy and sorrow, have their day.
I shall doubt your wisdom never;
as you will, so be it ever;
I commit to you my way.
If on earth my days should lengthen,
God, my weary soul still strengthen;
all my trust in you I place.
Earthly wealth is not abiding;
like a stream away it's gliding;
safe I anchor in your grace.
Devotion
How do you feel about being in debt? It depends on how much, perhaps, and when the debt is due to be paid. The dishonest manager in the Luke 16 parable used debt to his advantage, to open doors that would secure his future. But for many people, debt feels more like a source of stress than a golden opportunity.
The irony, of course, is that we hold a debt that opens the doors to an eternal future: the debt of our very lives, bought for us through Christ’s death on the cross. And this debt is not a source of stress, but of joy.
It’s a reminder that life in God’s kingdom often isn’t what we’ve come to expect from this world. And that true security comes not from our own saving, plans or efforts, but from God’s gracious hand.
Prayer
From the rise of the sun to the close of the day, O Lord, help me trust fully in your constant presence, love and grace. Amen.