“In the Morning When I Rise” ELW 770
1 In the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
In the morning when I rise,
give me Jesus.
Refrain
Give me Jesus,
give me Jesus.
You may have all the rest,
give me Jesus.
2 Dark midnight was my cry,
dark midnight was my cry,
dark midnight was my cry,
give me Jesus.
Refrain
3 Just about the break of day,
just about the break of day,
just about the break of day,
give me Jesus
Refrain
4 Oh, when I come to die,
oh, when I come to die,
oh, when I come to die,
give me Jesus.
Refrain
5 And when I want to sing,
and when I want to sing,
and when I want to sing,
give me Jesus
Devotion
There is a story about a pastor who was being highly criticized by some in his congregation. A woman from the congregation kept asking him to come to her apartment as she had something to show him. He was too busy and kept putting her off until one day she insisted. He reluctantly went, and what she had to show him was a painting of Daniel in the lion’s den. She asked him to see where Daniel was looking. He noted that Daniel was looking up at the light that was streaming from heaven. “Notice,” she said, “that he is not looking at the lions.”
This song is a good reminder for me to keep my focus on Jesus and not on the “lions” in my life. I was introduced to this song through the Christian artist Fernando Ortega. His lyrics are a bit different, but the heart of the song is the same. So often, in the busyness of my life, I take my eyes off Jesus and let things of this world steal my peace. “You can have all this world, give me Jesus.” That gives me peace.
Prayer
Dear Lord, there are many things in this world that vie for our attention. Help us to keep our eyes on you, seeking you first, and may your peace, which passes all understanding, be in our hearts. Amen.