Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Archives for September 2008

Sunday, September 28, 2008

God of Grace and God of Glory,” LBW 415 & ELW 705 1 God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your pow’r;
crown your ancient church’s story;
bring its bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grand us courage
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.

2 Lo! The hosts of evil round us
scorn the Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grand us courage
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.

3 Cure your children’s warring madness;
Bend our pride to your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grand us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.

4 Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of your salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving you whom we adore,
serving you whom we adore. I always cringe a little when we sing “God of Grace and God of Glory” at the beginning of a worship service. The line “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour” can make us think that the hour of worship ahead may be difficult to bear. I’m sure that for some, including myself when I was a child, the worship hour can seem like a grueling ordeal.

But these words written by Harry Emerson Fosdick are some of the most challenging we can sing. Noting the world around us and the struggle within us, Fosdick writes of “warring madness,” “wanton, selfish gladness” and “weak resignation.” To overcome such obstacles, we do need both wisdom and courage.

Wisdom and courage are gifts of our God of grace and glory. Whether it’s the hour of worship on a Sunday morning or any other hour we may face, we ask for and expect that God will pour out his power so we can serve the one whom we adore. Merciful Lord, we never know what any hour of life may bring. With the wisdom and courage that can only come from you, help us face this and every hour. Encourage us with the one certainty that we live every hour in your loving care. Amen. False Don Behrendt 1979 Master of Divinity Peace Lutheran Church, Green Bay, Wis. commoffice 2008-08-18 10:06:14 2353 True True 2008-09-27 00:00:00 Listen! God is Calling," WOV 712 & ELW 513