LBW #503, “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
Devotion
Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku in 1557, was sent by his bishop from his home country of Finland to study at Wittenberg, Germany, where he met Luther and Melanchthon. Upon returning home, he became a leader of the Finnish Church. He saw the importance of worship and teaching in the Finnish language. He translated many hymns into Finnish, and collected hymns that had been written or translated by others. He is noted as the father of written Finnish.
The hymn “O Jesus, I Have Promised” serves as our text for today. The hymn is often set to NYLAND, a traditional Finnish melody. This was my confirmation hymn and the first and last stanzas have stayed with me all my life: “O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end; be now and ever near me, my Master and my Friend. I shall not fear the battle if you are by my side, nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.”
Prayer
O Jesus, you have promised to all who follow you that where you are in glory your servants shall be too. And, Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end; O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend. (v.4, LBW #503, "O Jesus, I Have Promised") Amen.