Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Oh, That the Lord
Would Guide My Ways(LSB #707). Our readings speak of the necessity of being
Christ’s faithful disciples, shunning the things and ways of this world. This,
we can only do when the Lord guides our ways: He grants us grace to know and do
His will.
“Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways” was written by
Isaac Watts (1674-1748), the Father of English hymnody. The hymn is basically a
prayer, asking God to help the singer live within God’s will and, if he should
stray, that the Lord would bring him back. Everything is in God’s hands. As it
is a prayer, an “amen” at the end is certainly appropriate.
Watts’ opening line of verse 1 echoes Psalm 119:5:
in keeping your statutes!
The Psalmist desires to walk in God’s ways, guided by
his statutes. But how can we know what that way is? The Psalmist has an answer.
and I will keep it to the end (33).
This is the same answer Watts has, “Oh, that my God would grant me grace To know and do His will!” By his grace God teaches us his will through the Word of God, the Bible. Without the Word of God we would never stumble upon his ways (though many have thought they have). This is what Bible studies, Sunday school, Sunday worship, and so on, do. This is what we are instructed to do in the Great Commission, to go and teach everything Christ has commanded us (Matthew 28:20).[2]
A Prayer for industry and commerce: Lord Jesus Christ, as once You shared in our
human toil and thus hallowed the work of our hands, bless and prosper those who
maintain the industries and service sectors of this land. Give them a right regard
for their labors, and grant them the just reward for their work that they may
find joy in serving You and in supplying our needs; for You live and reign with
the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [3]
[1] Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures ©WELS for personal and congregational use
[3] Collect for industry and commerce, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[4] Collect for Saturday of the week of Pentecost 12, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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