“O God of Mercy, God of Light,” ELW 714 and LBW 425
1 O God of mercy, God of light,
in love and mercy infinite,
teach us, as ever in your sight
to live our lives in you.
2 You sent your Son to die for all,
that our lost world might hear your call;
oh, hear us lest we stray and fall!
We rest our hope in you.
3 Teach us the lesson Jesus taught:
to feel for those his blood has bought,
that ev'ry deed and word and thought
may work a work for you.
4 For all are kindred, far and wide,
since Jesus Christ for all has died;
grant us the will, and grace provide,
to love them all in you.
5 In sickness, sorrow, want or care,
may we each other's burdens share;
may we, where help is needed, there
give help as though to you.
6 And may your Holy Spirit move
all those who live to live in love,
till you receive in heav'n above
all those who live in you.
Devotion
This hymn text by Godfrey Thring fits the scriptures we have read this week. The first two stanzas point us back to the foundation of our Christian life, to what God, in love and mercy, had done for us in Christ. Then it moves on as we ask for his graceful teaching that we might walk in the footsteps of our Lord, looking to the needs of others, just as Jesus did.
I especially like the emphasis on living in Christ. When we understand that he is a God of mercy and the only life worth living is in him, then our eyes are opened to other's needs and we seek the God of Light for guidance in his way.
Prayer
O God of mercy, too often we are like the priest and the Levite and not like the good Samaritan. We divert our eyes from the needy traveler and simply walk by on the other side of the street. Forgive us and lead us in thy way, O Lord. Amen.