Just A Closer Walk With Thee (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 697)
Refrain:
Just a closer walk with thee,
grant it, Jesus, is my plea;
daily walking close to thee,
let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
1 I am weak but thou art strong:
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
as I walk, let me walk close to thee. [Refrain]
2 Through this world of toil and snares,
if I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but thee, dear Lord, none but thee. [Refrain]
3 When my feeble life is o’er,
time for me will be no more;
guide me gently, safely o’er
to thy kingdom shore, to thy shore. [Refrain]
Text and Music: North American Traditional; Public Domain
Devotion
This hymn invites recollection from yesterday’s devotion: “Our footsteps may falter sometimes. There is anxiety moving through this chaotic and uncertain world. But our faith connects us to the stalwart central vine. Even if our steps are small and hesitant, they are empowered by our relationship to the Divine. Thanks be to God that we can abide in such grace.”
Siblings in Christ I invite you to journey with the ever-abiding presence of our God. Whether that is embracing wild and holy imagination that sweeps you up in the next few days. Or whether you might be a little more hesitant and you must find rest in the peace of Christ. Or maybe it’s just something messy that lies between. But go into this day with patience and care for yourself, abiding with God’s love.
Prayer
O Holy One, we hear your invitation—the simple invitation to the practice of abiding in your presence. An invitation towards patience and presence. May our hearts be open to respond to the Good News of your invitation. Amen.