Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory, ELW 890
Devotion
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
he has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword:
his truth is marching on.
(Refrain)
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
he is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat.
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on. (Refrain)
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me.
As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
while God is marching on. (Refrain)
When I was a pastor in Rockford, Illinois, we had a great men's choir. They loved to sing and retreat and even travel to sing in other churches. One hymn they used to bug my colleague and I to allow the congregation to sing "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord" at least twice a year was. We always sang it during the Sundays surrounding the 4th of July, noting its reminder, "we live to make people free."
We have many images describing the salvation that Jesus has brought. One of those is the image of Christus Victor, the one who has overcome those that seek to keep us in bondage and prevent us from living as children of God. Jesus has won the victory. He has set us free. That is a part of His authenticity.
Prayer
We thank you today that you have not only set us free from the bondage of our sins, but have blessed us with a nation that is free. Make us a beacon light for freedom throughout the world. Amen.