My clock strikes 2 beats more than it’s supposed to. Perhaps it’s trying to tell me something. Perhaps it’s already later in the day, than I assumed. Even as the terrible news of Otto Warmbier sinks in, the catastrophes of Portugals fires and the escalation in Syria (if at all possible!) by the US shooting down the Russian jet cashing in on the cold war’s greatest fears, our maverick government of Zuptaoids is doing it’s utmost to cash in as long as they still can. Still, in England the fashion fundis are visiting the Royal Ascot , the mist is rising most wonderfully in the Mecklenburger Schweiz and we’re going about our ways and trying to stay on track even as the cold from Cape of Storms is blowing in from the South. Zapiro’s cartoon is much closer to home, than I’d like to admit. While the authorities are fumbling with fine-print somewhere, somewhat the ship is sinking… Well, the Herrenhuter readings for today are Psalm 42:6 “O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee…” and John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” His promise fills us with comfort and hope!
“Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation by Matthäus A. von Löwenstern, 1594-1648
Translated by Philip Pusey, 1799-1855
- Lord of our life and God of our salvation.
Star of our night and Hope of every nation,
Hear and receive Thy Church’s supplication,
Lord God Almighty. - See round Thine ark the hungry billows curling;
See how thy foes their banners are unfurling.
Lord, while their darts envenomed they are hurling,
Thou canst preserve us. - Lord, Thou canst help when earthly armor faileth;
Lord, Thou canst save when deadly sin assaileth;
Lord, o’er Thy Church nor death nor hell prevaileth;
Grant us Thy peace, Lord: - Peace in our hearts, our evil thoughts assuaging;
Peace in Thy Church where brothers are engaging;
Peace when the world its busy war is waging.
Calm Thy foes’ raging. - Grant us Thy help till backward they are driven;
Grant them Thy truth that they may be forgiven;
Grant peace on earth or, after we have striven,
Peace in Thy heaven.
Hymn #258 from the Lutheran Hymnal based on Psalm 79,9
Original title: “Christe, du Beistand Deiner Kreuzgemeinde… ”
Wilhelm's space 