“O, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways,” ELW 772
1 Oh, that the Lord would guide my ways
To keep his statutes still!
Oh, that my God would grant me grace
To know and do his will!
2 Order my footsteps by your Word
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.
3 Assist my soul, too apt to stray,
A stricter watch to keep;
And should I e’er forget your way,
Restore your wand’ring sheep.
4 Make me to walk in your commands,
‘Tis a delightful road;
Nor let my head or heart or hands
Offend against my God.
Devotion
Often when God warns us of the dangers of sin and wickedness, we receive it as judgment rather than love. Our rebellious nature causes us to buck against it and resist. But as we have seen in our reflections throughout this week, what God wants more than anything is for us to have abundant life! When we live in community with others, it is especially important that we guard and protect and nurture that community, sometimes through difficult conversation, sometimes through tough choices, but always through love of God and neighbor. It IS a delightful road to walk with a God who will sacrifice God’s self in order that we might have life! We can trust and depend on this God and Savior. When we live in community and care for one another, when we allow God to guide our steps, when we seek restoration and reconciliation, then we will have abundant life!
Prayer
Life-giving God, through your death and resurrection, you have already given us eternal life. And now we ask that you be present with us, guiding us, teaching us, healing us, restoring us, and permeating us so that we may experience your kingdom and have abundant life, here and now! Amen.