“O God of Love, O King of Peace” (ELW 749)
1 O God of love, O King of peace,
make wars throughout the world to cease;
our greed and sinful wrath restrain.
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
2 Remember, Lord, your works of old,
the wonders that our elders told;
remember not our sins’ deep stain.
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
3 Whom shall we trust but you, O Lord?
Where rest but on your faithful word?
None ever called on you in vain.
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
4 Where saints and angels dwell above
all hearts are knit in holy love;
oh, bind us in that heav’nly chain.
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
Devotion
Not all epiphanies are obvious. But with a little holy imagination, you can discern in Jesus’ commentary a fiery flashback to Sinai, and even a foreshadowing of Moses’ cameo appearance in the Transfiguration. Epiphanies are easier to spot if you know to watch for them.
So too with this hymn, suggested by Sundays and Seasons as tomorrow’s hymn of the day. Less overtly an Epiphany hymn, its pleading with God to cease wars, restrain our greed and wrath, remember not our sins, and knit all hearts in heavenly love—all reveal the God who chooses people and equips them with divine instruction.
The hymn recalls “the wonders that our elders told” in stories of the ways of God. The most consequential story of all is that God has chosen you. Such stories can move you, fire your imagination, and inspire you. Stories also form you into an “elder” yourself. Like a runner in a relay race across space and time, you grab the baton, sprint ahead, and watch for a chance to pay it forward.
Prayer
O God of love, let me run with you as you race toward peace and justice. Amen.