Saturday, June 29, 2019

Devotion

1O Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
remain forever near me,
my master and my friend.
I shall not fear the battle
if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if you will be my guide.

2Oh, let me feel you near me;
the world is ever near.
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, then draw nearer
to shield my soul from sin.

3Oh, let me hear you speaking
in accents clear and still
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will.
Now speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
now speak and make me listen,
O Guardian of my soul.

4O Jesus, you have promised
to all who follow you
that where you are in glory
your servant shall be too.
And Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
oh, give me grace to follow,
my master and my friend.

Text: John E. Bode, 1816-1874, alt.

What kinds of promises have you made lately—and, more importantly, did you keep them?
We seem to have come a long way from a time when one's word was one's bond. Now spin, nuance, and shade color our communication. In an era of rough political discourse and endless pontificating on talk TV and radio, it can be hard to take most words at face value. And the longer we live in that environment, the less we believe that words—and promises—really matter.

But they do. With our words we can demonstrate fidelity, character, kindness. With our promises we can prove ourselves to be people of integrity. Perhaps that's what Rev. John Bode was getting at in today's hymn, which he wrote on the occasion of his children's confirmation. His vision of faithfulness puts great stock in the promises we make—starting with our commitment to follow Jesus. Trust me: It matters.