Hail to the Lord's Anointed, ELW 311, v. 1 & 2
1 Hail to the Lord's anointed, great David's greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed, your reign on earth begun!
You come to break oppression, to set the captive free, to take away transgression and rule in equity.
2 You come with rescue speedy to those who suffer wrong, to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong; to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light, whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in your sight.
Devotion
Jesus the Anointed comes “with rescue speedy.” In these cold, dark days when time seems to drag along with painful slowness, how assuring it is to know that God arrives in holy haste! In a world marred by violence and stained by sin, what hope we hear as the very souls who, though condemned and dying, are precious in God’s sight! The signs of God’s reign breaking in on this benighted world are all around for us to see. Wherever oppression gives way to freedom and whenever transgression is set right, we see clear signs of God’s gracious rule. The needs of the poor are amply met; the weak in body and spirit are strengthened. Sighs are transformed into songs. Pause to consider today: how do you see God’s speedy rescue happening in your day-to-day world? Then bear witness to your neighbor. Say to them, “God is at work here!”
Prayer
Hail, Jesus, Messiah and Lord! You shatter our darkness with your own brilliant light. May we see the signs of your kingdom all around, and then testify to your justice and mercy to the ones who desperately need to hear. Amen.