“O Jesus, I Have Promised,” ELW 810 and LBW 503
1 O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
remain forever 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.
2 Oh, let me feel you near me; the world is ever near.
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
but, Jesus, then draw nearer to shield my soul from sin.
3 Oh, let me hear you speaking in the accents clear and still
above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will.
Now speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
now speak and make me listen, O Guardian of my soul.
4 O Jesus, you have promised to all who follow you
that where you are in glory your servant shall be too.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
oh, give me grace to follow, my master and my friend.
Devotion
It has been two weeks since they stood before the congregation, scarlet robed, confident confirmation class countenance. They confessed, affirmed, vowed and promised. Do you … “I believe … ” Will you … “Yes, and I ask God to help and guide me.” It has been two weeks. “O Jesus I have promised to serve you to the end.” How are they doing, these newly-confirmed believers? “O Jesus, You have promised to all who follow you that where you are in glory your servant shall be too.” What about the promise we made, “to support and pray for one another in [their] life in Christ? How are we doing?
We give thanks that God is faithful. In what creative and caring ways might we too be faithful in supporting the discipleship of these youngest followers of Jesus?
Prayer
O Jesus, we have promised to serve you to the end; oh, give us grace to follow, our master and our friend. Amen.