My Faith Looks Up to Thee (ELW 759, v. 1)
Devotion
1 My faith looks up to thee,
thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
take all my guilt away,
oh, let me from this day
be wholly thine!
2 May thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire;
as thou hast died for me,
oh, may my love to thee
pure, warm, and changeless be,
a living fire!
3 While life's dark maze I tread
and griefs around me spread,
be thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow's tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from thee aside.
4 When ends life's transient dream,
when death's cold, sullen stream
shall o'er me roll;
blest Savior, then, in love
fear and distrust remove;
oh, bear me safe above,
a ransomed soul!
Text: Ray Palmer, 1808-1887
What's the purpose of faith? It's to point to something greater than ourselves. It leads us to a greater sense of the Creator and leaves us in awe at our place in the grand scheme of the universe. As I grow in faith, I want to know that it's not all on me. I want to know that I'm not in charge — God is.
This hymn places me squarely in the midst of my relationship with God. It's God I look up to. It's God who hears my prayers and offers forgiveness and then, in turn, calls me to serve this world in dedication and faithfulness.
Prayer
God of heaven, lead me on paths of righteousness with you and the other people I encounter this day. Remove feelings of guilt and shame, and inspire me to trust where you're guiding me. Amen.