O God of Light (ELW 507)
1 O God of light, your word, a lamp unfailing,
shall pierce the darkness of our earthbound way
and show Your grace, your plan for us unveiling,
and guide our footsteps to the perfect day.
2 From days of old, through blind and willful ages,
though we rebelled, you gently sought again,
and spoke through saints, apostles, prophets, sages,
who wrote with eager or reluctant pen.
3 Undimmed by time, those words are still revealing
to sinful hearts your justice and your grace;
and questing spirits, longing for your healing,
see your compassion in the Savior’s face.
4 To all the world your summons you are sending,
through all the earth, to ev’ry land and race,
that myriad tongues, in one great anthem blending,
may praise and celebrate your gift of grace.
Devotion
God’s Word, Jesus, shines brightly in the scriptures and in the hearts of those who believe God’s promises. My passion for the gospel shines forth in music. My emotions soar when a strong hymn or praise song captures my imagination. As a young man I learned many praise songs that were taken word for word from scripture. That became a memory tool and the scriptures flowed into my heart and soul through their melodies. My mother told me that while in confirmation she memorized many of the hymns of faith and she often showed that during worship when she would never look at the words of hymns that she had memorized. Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” are words from an Amy Grant song that I memorized and have sung many times throughout my life. I am sure that for many of you hymns have illuminated your faith as well.
Prayer
Gracious Lord God, your word comes to life in so many way in our lives. We hear it in conversations we have with family and friends. We sing it out in worship. Thank you for the gift of music. Amen.