Sunday’s hymn of the day, Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid (LSB 500), is an eighth-century hymn written in praise of the Holy Spirit and the gifts He bestows on the Church. It first proclaims the Spirit as participating in the creation of all things, then testifies that He creates Christians by His gifts to us. The final stanza is a doxology: a hymn of praise to our Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This hymn is so ancient that the original authorship is not entirely certain. Some believe it was composed by Ambrose of Milan, which would make it sixteen centuries old. Yet it is still sung in churches today. Ambrose was a Roman governor of Northern Italy, and later served as the Christian bishop of Milan. The hymn has been translated or paraphrased many times.
The work of the Holy Spirit, in bringing us to spiritual maturity, first involves the new birth, a spiritual rebirth that comes through faith in Christ (John 1:12-13; 3:3, 6). And the Christian is said to be indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 5:5). Part of His work in us is to bring us more and more to follow after Christ, (Romans 8:29). And “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Prayer for persecuted Christians: Lord Jesus Christ, before whom all in heaven and earth shall bow, grant courage that Your children may confess Your saving name in the face of any opposition from a world hostile to the Gospel. Help them to remember Your faithful people who sacrificed much and even faced death rather than dishonor You when called upon to deny the faith. By Your Spirit, strengthen them to be faithful and to confess You boldly, knowing that You will confess Your own before the Father in heaven, with whom You and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, now and forever. 1
Sources:
Image of the Holy Spirit copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
1. Collect for persecuted Christians © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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