Built on a Rock (ELW 652)
1 Built on a rock the church shall stand, even when steeples are falling; crumbled have
spires in ev’ry land, bells still are chiming and calling–calling the young and old to rest,
calling the souls of those distressed, longing for life everlasting.
2 Surely, in temples made with hands God the Most High is not dwelling–high in the
heav’ns his temple stands, all earthly temples excelling. Yet he who dwells in heav’n
above deigns to abide with us in love, making our bodies his temple.
3 Christ builds a house of living stones: we are his own habitation; he fills our hearts, his
humble thrones, granting us life and salvation. Where two or three will seek his face, he
in their midst will show his grace, blessings upon them bestowing.
4 Yet in this house, an earthly frame, Jesus the children is blessing; hither we come to
praise his name, faith in our Savior confessing. Jesus to us his Spirit sent, making with
us his covenant, granting his children the kingdom.
5 Through all the passing years, O Lord, grant that, when church bells are ringing,
many may come to hear your Word, who here this promise is bringing: “I know my
own, my own know me; you, not the world, my face shall see; my peace I leave with
you. Amen.”
Devotion
I wanted to spend time this week reflecting on the five senses because an important part of having faith is living out our faith with our bodies. We navigate the world, using our five senses. And, like Jesus, we try to use our bodies to partake in the coming kingdom of God.
Verse 3 reminds us of the holiness that resides in us. “Christ builds a house of living stones: we are his own habitation.” It’s a blessing. And it’s an incredible, overwhelming responsibility. Faith is more than an intellectual thing. It’s an incarnational thing. And more often than not, we forget that.
Spend some time today—whether in worship, in your community, or in your own home—asking God how you are being called to live in the world. And find confidence in the fact that your body is holy, and that you can do holy work.
Prayer
God, form us to grow into the human beings that you created us to be. Send us out as your people with the warmth of your love in our hearts. Amen.