“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isa 6:3 KJV) “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Rom 11:36 KJV)
These days after Pentecost remind us of the critical victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s changed everything – and to the good. Thank God for that! Not just the lives of those disciples, who are brought from sorrow to joy, from fear to confidence, from death to life, but for all the people of the world. It takes time for this to show, but the Word of the Lord grows (Franzmann) starting off in Jerusalem via Samaria and to the very ends of the world. That’s why we hear the stories of the disciples preaching before the sanhedrin, confessing that it’s vital, yes crucial to obey God more than men. How they heal that lame man before the temple. and how this mission of our Lord and saviour continues throughout the ages until he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
This is all just a matter of time. We don’t see it yet, but it is steadily unfolding and it is not long until we will at last see, what we have here believed. Still people are baptized, still they are taught everything that our Lord has entrusted to his church and still the call goes out to all people: “Repent for the kingdom of God has drawn near!”
This is the doing of the triune God and he – the living Father, Son and Holy Spirit – rules with all authority in heaven and on earth until then – drawing more and more to himself. As long as we wait for his glorious return, we laud, praise and magnify his beautiful name as we did in chapel this morning with the hymn: “Beautiful saviour …” (LSB 537), going about the work of our daily calling and praying together and without ceasing: Your kingdom come!
“All Glory Be to God on High” by Nikolaus Decius, 1490?-1541 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
1. All glory be to God on high,
Who hath our race befriended!
To us no harm shall now come nigh,
The strife at last is ended;
God showeth His good will to men,
And peace shall reign on earth again;
Oh, thank Him for His goodness!
2. We praise, we worship Thee, we trust,
And give Thee thanks forever,
O Father, that Thy rule is just
And wise and changes never.
Thy boundless power o’er all things reigns,
‘Tis done whate’er Thy will ordains:
Well for us that Thou rulest!
3. O Jesus Christ, Thou only Son
Of God, Thy heavenly Father,
Who didst for all our sins atone
And Thy lost sheep dost gather:
Thou Lamb of God, to Thee on high,
From out our depths, we sinners cry,
Have mercy on us, Jesus!
4. O Holy Ghost, Thou precious Gift,
Thou Comforter unfailing,
O’er Satan’s snares our souls uplift
And let Thy power availing
Avert our woes and calm our dread.
For us the Savior’s blood was shed;
We trust in Thee to save us.
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #237 Text: Luke 2:14 Author: Nikolaus Decius, 1525
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt. Titled: “Allein Gott in der Hoeh’ sei Ehr'”
Composer: Nikolaus Decius, 1539, asc. Tune: “Allein Gott in der Hoeh'”
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