“Jesus, Still Lead On,” ELW 624 and LBW 341
1 Jesus, still lead on, till our rest be won;
and, although the way be cheerless,
we will follow, calm and fearless;
guide us by your hand to the promised land.
2 If the way be drear, if the foe be near,
let no faithless fears o'ertake us,
let not faith and hope forsake us;
safely past the foe to our home we go.
3 When we seek relief from a long-felt grief,
when temptations come alluring
make us patient and enduring;
show us that bright shore where we weep no more.
4 Jesus, still lead on, till our rest be won;
heav'nly leader, still direct us,
still support, console, protect us,
till we safely stand in the promised land.
Devotion
The Christian life is a life of struggle. Wherever we are called to serve – whether in combat, cultural change or common chaos – we labor among the broken, the broken down and the broken-hearted.
God’s Word tells us, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3:14-15a). Focused on Jesus, we can push on through our terror amidst the turbulence of trouble because our Lord and Savior has already promised to provide us our ultimate objective: life everlasting.
Nicolaus L. von Zinzendorf (1700-1760) draws on his faith in this promise in today’s hymn, which he wrote in times as turbulent as our own.
Prayer
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, give us courage in the face of chaos, focus in the face of fear. Make us steadfast in the swirl of suffering. Even when our foe is near, fill us with faith and the fortitude to follow our Messiah even unto death, until we are safely in our heavenly home with you. Amen.