What A fellowship, What a Joy Divine, ELW 774
Devotion
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
Leaning, leaning, (Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)
safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, (leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)
leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
I love this song not only because it makes me smile, but because it's comforting and fun to sing. When singing it, I would always lean on whoever was next to me—maybe sometimes a little too forcefully, so that they might start to lean on the next person. But isn't that life? God gives us each other to lean on too. Being safe and secure from all alarms is such a great reminder of God's protection, comfort and care. It also reminds me that I don't have to go it alone. Christ is there to bring me peace and rest and renewal as I lean on his strength and might. We never have to go it alone. We have a God that is so close to us that we can lean on for support. It's good to be reminded that God helps us carry the cares of the day and then helps us give them away.
Prayer
God of comfort and care, thank you for watching over us and giving us people we can lean on. Help us to trust in your promise to never leave our side. Amen.