“In Thee is Gladness,” ELW 867 and LBW 552
1 In thee is gladness
amid all sadness,
Jesus, sunshine of my heart.
By thee are given
The gifts of heaven,
Thou the true redeemer art
Our souls thou wakest;
our bonds thou breakest.
Who trust thee surely has built securely
And stands forever: Alleluia!
Our hearts are pining
To see thy shining,
Dying or living,
To thee are cleaving;
naught can us sever: Alleluia!
2 Jesus is ours!
We fear no powers,
Not of earth or sin or death.
He sees and blesses
in worst distresses;
He can change them with a breath
Wherefore the story tell of his glory
with heart and voices;
all heav’n rejoices
in him forever: Alleluia!
We should for gladness, triumph o’er sadness,
love him and praise him
and still shall raise him
glad hymns forever: Alleluia!
Devotion
The words of Johann Lindemann’s hymn pour out in a rush of joyful praise. It is difficult to catch one’s breath. Heads swivel back and forth: “In Thee is gladness – amidst all sadness,” so very much like life. Spring is chaotic: new growth, replaced by summer blooms, flowers giving way to seed. School ends and children bring all their energy back to the house. Vacations loom but work still demands our full attention. Days lengthen but so do the activities we press to fill them.
Through it all shines Jesus, the sunshine of our hearts. The light of midsummer cannot outshine the One whose steadfastness orders the unpredictable and casts out the fear of those alien powers of earth, sin and death. Through it moves the blessing One, changing with his breath our distress.
Prayer
Alleluia! We lift that joyful praise this day. Let our word be alleluia as we gather together to hear your word and share your meal. Let our word be alleluia amidst our families when we rest and recreate. Let our word be alleluia in solitude and contemplation. In you, Lord Jesus, is gladness forever. Amen.