Dear People of God,

Yesterday, shared with you a devotion based on the Old Testament Reading for this past Sunday from Ezekiel 37.  Today, I would like to share some devotional thoughts with you from last Sunday’s Epistle from Romans 8:1-11.  I pray that they are useful and a blessing to you in these days.

+ + + + + + + + + +

If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. – Romans 8:11

Since my college and seminary days, there are certain Scripture passages which are tied in my brain to musical pieces which are referenced in them.  Although I never sung this particular piece of music as part of a choir, there is a motet (think a short cantata) by J.S. Bach which weds the text of the hymn, “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”, with selected verses from Romans 8.  This motet was written for the occasion of a funeral service during Bach’s time in Leipzig, and expresses beautifully the hope that we have because we belong to Christ.

I’ll be talking more about this passage from Romans later today in my video devotion on our Facebook page. (www.facebook.com/trinityelcmountrainier) Right now, though, I would like to leave you with the text of this great Lutheran hymn, with its powerful words of hope and comfort, especially as we live under the shadow of this current moment.

Jesus, priceless Treasure,
Fount of purest pleasure,
Truest Friend to me.
Ah, how long in anguish
Shall my spirit languish,
Yearning, Lord, for Thee?
Thou art mine, O Lamb divine!
I will suffer naught to hide Thee;
Naught I ask beside Thee.

In Thine arms I rest me;
Foes who would molest me
Cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,
Ev’ry heart be quaking,
Jesus calms my fear.
Lightnings flash And thunders crash;
Yet, though sin and hell assail me,
Jesus will not fail me.

Satan, I defy thee;
Death, I now decry thee;
Fear, I bid thee cease.
World, thou shalt not harm me
Nor thy threats alarm me
While I sing of peace.
God’s great pow’r Guards ev’ry hour;
Earth and all its depths adore Him,
Silent bow before Him.

Hence, all earthly treasure!
Jesus is my Pleasure,
Jesus is my Choice.
Hence, all earthly glory!
What to me thy story
Told with tempting voice.
Pain or loss, Or shame or cross,
Shall not from my Savior move me
Since He deigns to love me.

Evil world, I leave thee;
Thou canst not deceive me,
Thine appeal is vain.
Sin that once did blind me,
Get thee far behind me,
Come not forth again.
Past thy hour, O pride and pow’r;
Sinful life, thy bonds I sever,
Leave thee now forever.

Hence, all fear and sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in.
Those who love the Father,
Though the storms may gather,
Still have peace within.
Yea, whate’er I here must bear,
Thou art still my purest Pleasure,
Jesus, priceless Treasure!

(The Lutheran Hymnal # 347; Lutheran Service Book # 743)

+ + + + + + + + + +

After using a hymn for our devotion today, I am reminded of how for me personally, and perhaps for many of you as well, music lifts soul and spirit in ways that nothing else can.  To add to your “devotional arsenal” in these days, might I suggest the following:

Concordia Publishing House has put together of “Songs of Comfort” playlist from their music collection which can be found off of this page from their Worship and Music blog:
https://blog.cph.org/worship/comforting-hymns-for-listening-at-home?utm_campaign=CPH%20Blog%20Posts&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=85513685&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–ISRBxU77jXeAzCmoVuba2_dlg7YFTbxqam6Socs9Z3-JeeXlHMv61umiOYzdb3ReJgm6UlDPuXGODrOX2zgQCGwY4tA&_hsmi=85513685

I have sometimes used The Cyber Hymnal to find and sing through hymn tunes as I plan worship services.  It is a resource with hundreds of hymn texts from hymnals across the Christian tradition with music files which help you to “sing along”.
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/index.htm

Lastly, there is LPR – Lutheran Public Radio, an internet media ministry which provides “Sacred Music for the World”.  You will hear much from the “classics” of Lutheran and Christian hymns and choral music, as well as other classical sacred music.  It is available to listen to online, as well as from apps available for your phone or tablet.
https://lutheranpublicradio.org/

+ + + + + + + + + +

God’s continued blessings be with you all!  And “may the Lord watch between me and thee, while we are absent one from another.”

Peace in Jesus,
+Pastor