My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, ELW 597
Devotion
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
no merit of my own I claim,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
in ev'ry high and stormy gale
my anchor holds within the veil. Refrain
His oath, his covenant, his blood
sustain me in the raging flood;
when all supports are washed away,
he then is all my hope and stay. Refrain
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
oh, may I then in him be found,
clothed in his righteousness alone,
redeemed to stand before the throne! Refrain
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." With these words we are confessing with St. Peter in this week's gospel our hope in the anointed one of God, Jesus of Nazareth. This confession of faith stands against the darkness and the threats of sin and death. This confession lifts up the name of Jesus, his cross and resurrection against all the forces of sin and death—even the very gates of hell. We are boasting not about ourselves but our boasting rests wholly on Christ alone, the righteous one of God. The cornerstone of our hope—our everything—is Jesus, his blood and righteousness. His righteousness is that he has come to save. His blessing is his everlasting grace and mercy. So when he comes with a shout, with the sound of a trumpet, we know with confidence that we belong to him, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer
Open to us the gates of righteousness, O Lord, and we will enter. We know you are our hope now, and in time to come, forever and ever. Amen.