O God, My Faithful God (ELW 806)
1 O God, my faithful God,
true fountain ever flowing,
without whom nothing is,
all perfect gifts bestowing:
give me a healthy frame,
and may I have within
a conscience free from blame,
a soul unstained by sin.
2 Give me the strength to do
with ready heart and willing
whatever you command,
my calling here fulfilling–
to do it when I ought,
with all my might– and bless
whatever I have wrought,
for you must give success.
3 Keep me from saying words
that later need recalling;
guard me, lest idle speech
may from my lips be falling;
but when, within my place,
I must and ought to speak,
then to my words give grace,
lest I offend the weak.
4 When dangers gather round,
oh, keep me calm and fearless;
help me to bear the cross
when life seems dark and cheerless;
help me, as you have taught,
to love both great and small,
and, by your Spirit’s might,
to live at peace with all.
Devotion
Johann Heerman’s life story was punctuated with bouts of debilitating illness. A sickly child and teen, an eye infection ended his theological studies in Strasbourg. Nevertheless, he recovered and eventually took up pastoral duties in Köben, Poland. In 1623, however, Heerman developed an infection in his nose and ear passages that plagued him until his death. Already by 1634 he lost the strength to read his sermons in church. He died only twenty-three years later.
Heerman’s health history possibly inspired the plea of verse one for “a healthy frame” and verse two’s plea for strength. Anyone who has been sick with the flu or gravely ill with a virus like Covid knows the debilitating power of disease on the body and the mind. Heerman teaches us to seek strength and health to do as God directs—“my calling here fulfilling.” More broadly, he reminds us to remember that when life brings illness, pain, or grief, God is nevertheless able to bless and use what strength we have for God’s glory.
Prayer
Lord, with Heerman I pray: “Give me the strength to do with ready heart and willing whatever you command, my calling here fulfilling.” Amen.