God’s Word is Our Great Heritage (ELW 509)
God’s word is our great heritage
and shall be ours forever;
to spread its light from age to age
shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way;
in death it is our stay.
Lord, grant while time shall last
your church may hold it fast
throughout all generations.
Devotion
This hymn combines the familiar Martin Luther tune, EIN FESTE BURG, with a powerful proclamation of the word of God. It reminds us of Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.” It brings to mind Jesus’ own words, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) The words and tune fit together nicely. Singing this hymn gives us another opportunity to enjoy the melody known so well in the powerful and beloved “A Mighty Fortress” . Its confidence in the power of God’s word can be a great way to conclude a worship service. We also like to sing it at the end of our weekly Bible study.
Prayer
Loving Lord, the more we delve into your holy word, the better our lives become as our understanding of the meaning of life, the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life increases. We realize that each and every day is a gift from you. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.