“O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” LBW 324
1 O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
2 O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flick'ring torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
3 O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.
4 O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
Devotion
Rushing into church. “Did I bring the materials for my Sunday School lesson?” “I forgot the communion bread!” “The Council president had better be here. I need to talk to her.” Coming to worship is not a very restful time for many in our congregations. The more we get involved in church life, the more worship can become another project with its own to-do list.
But then we sing a hymn like “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.” We hear the promise that God’s love doesn’t depend on our doing anything. God has chosen to come to us in Jesus. God’s love, light and joy come looking for us. The cross of Jesus seeks us out. We don’t have to rush into worship. We can take our sweet time, resting in the love of God. God will not let us go.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, teach us to keep this holy day holy by hearing your word, singing your praise and resting in you. Fill us with the life that you alone can give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.