Dearest Jesus, at Your Word (ELW 520, Verses 1-2)
1 Dearest Jesus, at your word
we have come again to hear you;
let our thoughts and hearts be stirred
and in glowing faith be near you
as the promises here given
draw us wholly up to heaven.
2 All our knowledge, sense, and sight
lie in deepest darkness shrouded
till your Spirit breaks the night,
filling us with light unclouded.
All good thoughts and all good living
come but by your gracious giving.
Devotion
We sinners are never in neutral, are we? Some days we may be unaware of Jesus’ presence, while in the meantime chaos may be building. The clearest sign for me is when I can’t find my keys. I can waste time frustrated that this or any setback has happened again, or I can ask the Lord for help.
What a gift to claim God’s promises whenever we feel lost or have lost something we need! Adrenaline and anxiety can’t match the power of prayer. It’s the key we need most for clarity and peace from the Lord.
All our readings this week invite our attentiveness to the word. We know what that need feels like, and we also know our gracious God is present and faithful to stir our thoughts and hearts and to fill us with light. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
God, may we lean into your promises today, especially in moments of need. Amen.