My Life Flows On in Endless Song (ELW 763)
1 My life flows on in endless song;
above earth’s lamentation,
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Refrain
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
2 Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing? (Refrain)
3 What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth. (Refrain)
4 The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his!
How can I keep from singing? (Refrain)
Devotion
This hymn breathes the confidence of faith. While the world around us quakes, God is our rock, our refuge, and our sanctuary. Even though nations fall and kingdoms crumble, I will continue to sing above earth’s lamentation. It’s sort of like the scene in the movie Titanic, when the quartet continues to play while the huge ship is breaking in two and most who are left aboard are facing certain death. Believing in God means that, when death and destruction abound, beautiful harmonies continue. Martin Luther said, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
God is always showing up with a new song—a song that’s heard above the earth’s lamentations; a song that enters the world with a new melody, a sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. We cling to God and the new song that’s being sung in our life.
Prayer
God, sing a new song in our life. A song of eternal love, abundant joy, complete forgiveness, and everlasting life. Help us to sing and keep singing no matter what difficulties life sends our way. Amen.