O God, My Faithful God, ELW 806
Devotion
1O God, my faithful God,
true fountain ever flowing,
without whom nothing is,
all perfect gifts bestowing:
give me a healthy frame,
and may I have within
a conscience free from blame,
a soul unstained by sin.
2Give me the strength to do
with ready heart and willing
whatever you command,
my calling here fulfilling—
to do it when I ought,
with all my might—and bless
whatever I have wrought,
for you must give success.
3Keep me from saying words
that later need recalling;
guard me, lest idle speech
may from my lips be falling;
but when, within my place,
I must and ought to speak,
then to my words give grace,
lest I offend the weak.
4When dangers gather round,
oh, keep me calm and fearless;
help me to bear the cross
when life seems dark and cheerless;
help me, as you have taught,
to love both great and small,
and, by your Spirit's might,
to live at peace with all.
Those who belong to the Lutheran tradition as I do are pretty strong on the theology of salvation by grace alone, apart from works. But we also need reminding now and then not to let our worries of appearing to embrace works righteousness distract us from opportunities to do some real good in the world.
Physician and poet Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. may have said it best: "Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good." Maybe you have met someone like that. Maybe that person has even been you! The life of faith can feel like a tightrope walk of trying to do the right things for the right reasons, all the while trying to remain humble. The nice thing is, God knows our imperfections, knows us fully, knew us even before we were formed in the womb. And still, God forgives us and uses us as agents of grace for the world.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give us the strength to do your will with ready and willing hearts. Give us strength to fulfill our callings, and bless the work of our hands for your glory. In the name of Christ. Amen.