LBW 513, “Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life”
Devotion
Richard Baxter, a late contemporary of George Herbert, said of him: "Herbert speaks to God like one that really believeth a God, and whose business in the world is most with God. Heart-work and heaven-work make up his books."
Herbert influenced the poets of his time and others well into the future, continuing among us in this beautiful hymn. So pregnant is Herbert’s hymn poem that one reading is not enough. Read it aloud slowly at least three times to absorb the poet’s deeply-meaningful words. Like a many-faceted diamond, Herbert’s poem gleams with the many aspects of the Christian life: truth, life and resurrection, Spirit and forgiveness, healing and community, light and love. The gospel is deftly presented in a few lines, set to a powerful tune by Ralph Vaughn Williams. When I sing it I feel that Christ is with me, that God has blessed me and that his love transcends all.
Prayer
Let us savor, O God, the wonder and joy of your salvation, so that it bursts forth in song. Amen.