This is My Father’s World (ELW 824)
1 This is my Father’s world, and to my list’ning ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world, I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.
2 This is my Father’s world; the birds their carols raise; the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world; he shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me ev’rywhere.
3 This is my Father’s world; oh, let me not forget that, though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world; why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let heaven ring; God reigns, let earth be glad!
Devotion
Have you had one of those days or weeks when nothing seems to be going right? I recently had a time like that in my life. I yelled at God, “Where are you and what in the world are you doing?” as I pounded my fist on the couch and just sat in silence. I slowly heard from deep within “This is my Father’s world, and though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.”
Six times in this hymn the assuring phrase, “This is my Father’s World,” is repeated. This is God’s world, not yours nor mine; the trouble, the pain, the chaos will not win the day. Just as February comes and the light grows longer, just when nothing seems right, God comes to renew God’s promises and make everything right. For from the darkness of a tomb life and light breaks forth. Wait for it. Even in whatever we are going through we keep waiting, for God reigns and we can be glad.
Prayer
Creator God, life giving God, thank you for your amazing world and all that I see is from you. Remind us in dark times that you are at work silently and you will bring life and light and healing. Amen.