“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:37-39
Good Monday morning. Just a week ago, I happened to be the Elder of the Day at my Church in Bloomington, IL. In my announcements after the service, I always thank the members who served that day; greeters, readers, ushers, guest Pastor and organist. I thanked Trudy for her pre-service music and also the music during the service to help us sing along with the hymns and liturgy. I mentioned that the older I get, it seems harder to carry a tune and quite often, God whispers in my ear to “Just read the words”.
Trudy and I talked after the service and she mentioned that are several hymns that she doesn’t sing because the words are too emotional; tears flow and she just reads the words. The sermon hymn last week happened to be ‘Come Holy Ghost. God and Lord’ and it was written by Martin Luther in 1524. You may think that I’m slacking off today, but please just read the words from this hymn today.
“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord! Be all Thy graces now outpoured on each believer’s mind and heart; Thy fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of Thy light Thou in the faith dost men unite. Of every land and every tongue; this to Thy praise, O Lord, our God, be sung. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thou holy light, guide divine, oh, cause the Word of life to shine!
Teach us to know our God aright and call Him Father with delight. From every error keep us free; let none but Christ our Master be that we in living faith abide, in Him, our Lord, with all our might confide. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thou holy fire, comfort true, grant us the will Thy work to do and in Thy service to abide; let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by Thy power prepare each heart and to our weakness strength impart that bravely here we may contend, through life and death to Thee, our Lord, ascend. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
The third verse really grabbed my attention. ‘Thou Holy Fire, comfort true, grant US the WILL Thy Work To Do and in Thy service to Abide; let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by Thy power prepare each heart and to our weakness Strength impart that Bravely HERE we may contend, through life and death to Thee, our Lord, ascend.’ Thank you Martin Luther; may we dwell upon your words this day. Lord, prepare our hearts today.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay