Almighty God, Your Word is Cast, ELW 516
1 Almighty God, your Word is cast
Like seed into the ground;
Now let the dew of heav'n descend
And righteous fruits abound.
2 Let not the sly satanic foe
This holy seed remove,
But give it root in ev'ry heart
To bring forth fruits of love.
3 Let not the world's deceitful cares
The rising plant destroy,
But let it yield a hundredfold
The fruits of peace and joy.
4 So when the precious seed is sown,
Your quick'ning grace bestow,
That all whose souls the truth receive
Its saving pow'r may know.
Devotion
Almighty God, your word is cast like seed into the ground;
Now let the dew of heav'n descend and righteous fruits abound (v. 1)
The Bible is not like other books. It doesn't have a neat plot line or a discreetly delineated beginning, middle and end. It contains some material that seems, at first glance, irrelevant to our modern lives, stories and points of view that contradict one another. Many people in our congregations find the experience of reading the Bible frustrating and intimidating. Yet, the Word of God, as contained in Scripture, forms the basis of much of what we teach and believe.
Yet, Scripture has unique power. When we engage seriously with the Word of God, we discover that it exposes much more than what we first thought. Scripture is the revealed and constantly revealing Word of God. The Word of God, as found in Scripture, is active and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes this Word brings comfort. Other times it brings a challenge. Still other times it convicts. But like seed sown in fertile ground the Word sprouts, takes root, grows, and bears fruit.
Prayer
Dear God, we thank and praise you for your word as found in scripture. May your word take root and bear fruit in our lives. Comfort us. Challenge us. Convict us. Open us to your word that we may be transformed. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.