LBW 396, “O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth”
Devotion
You’ve probably never sung this hymn. It’s my favorite, but I only get to sing it in the car. I’ve never sung it at a church service even though it has tremendous words by Martin Franzmann and a strong tune by Jan Bender. And it’s all about funnels and megaphones.
The hymn reminds us that we die when we funnel down on self. We turn life into an aimless mote, a deathward drift. We crawl into the house of death and brick up the doorways, living in night – with poisoned air.
But God does more than watch and judge. God intervenes with grace. God breaks open the blocked-up doorways and enters the fetid hall; Jesus inhales the lifeless air and exhales life. We are prisoners freed; we are the starving fed; we are the dead reborn to life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, break in. Tear down the walls I build. Take me out of that tomb and breathe into me Life, that I might live for others. In your name, Amen.