“Blest Be The Tie That Binds,” ELW 656
1 Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
2 Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
3 We share each other's woes,
our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
4 When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
Devotion
Several of the texts for this week (Genesis 2, Mark 10) focused on how sin can wreak havoc with what God intended for marital relationships. Yet this is only one form of human relationship that sin affects. It makes all human relationships difficult, not just marriages. No marriage or relationship is ever free from strife.
Yet the call to “share each other’s woes, our mutual burdens bear” reminds us this is how God wants us to live our lives in general. If we learn to live sacrificial lives, bearing the burdens of one another in daily life, then learning how to live in service to your spouse comes that much more naturally.
When people are bound “in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds,” comes the strength and ability to weather life’s storms together – whether they be of “one flesh” through the marital bond, or “one body” as part of Christian community.
Prayer
Lord, you have provided for us the gift of companionship. Help us to learn to turn from our selfish ways and remember to live our lives for the “other,” for the sake of Jesus Christ, Amen.