The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 502)
1 The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine forever.
2 Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.
3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
4 In death’s dark vale I fear no ill,
with thee, dear Lord, beside me,
thy rod and staff my comfort still;
thy cross before to guide me.
5 Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
thine unction grace bestoweth;
and, oh, what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
6 And so, through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.
Text: Henry W. Baker (1821-1877); Music: Irish tune
Devotion
I love transporting to different worlds. Although I like my world, sometimes it can be mundane and the problems I face too complex and too time-consuming. So, I read books that transport me to outer space. I play video games that give me a more athletic body that can play sports without back pain. I watch TV to visit worlds where problems can be solved in 21 minutes (or if they are really complicated, 42 minutes). Most of this transporting is fun—until it becomes an escape and only a means to avoid my life and my problems.
Worship is a different kind of transportation. In worship, I’m not transported to a different world or a different body or even a simpler, less problematic reality. Worship isn’t an escape. Through worship I am shepherded back into my world and my life, with new perspective—“transport of delight” to fill my life with purpose. Each mundane task is a gift, each complex problem, an opportunity to share the overflowing love Christ first gave me.
Prayer
Jesus, transport me. Not from my life, but into my life. Help me see my life and my world with delight. Amen.