Pr. DFD : Pentecost 21 Proper 24

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Sunday, October 11, 2015

Time in the Word - Pentecost 21 - Proper 24

By the Voluntary Poverty of Christ,
We Enter the Kingdom of God

To love and trust in earthly wealth is vanity. For nothing of this earth will last forever, nor can any of it grant eternal life (Eccl. 5:10). But the one who trusts in God is “occupied with joy in his heart” and is able to sleep in peace, “whether he eats little or much,” because he knows that the “days of his life” are “the gift of God” (Eccl. 5:12, 18–20). The person who trusts in riches cannot sleep, because he “shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand” (Eccl. 5:15). Therefore, it is difficult “for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 20:23). Indeed, it is impossible for man, and yet, “All things are possible with God” (Mark 20:27). Thus, the Rich Man, Jesus Christ, has made Himself poor and has gone through “the eye of a needle,” through death and the grave, “to enter the kingdom of God” on our behalf (Mark 20:24–25). He is the “great High Priest who has passed through the heavens” (Heb 4:14), so that we may now enter His Sabbath rest by faith in His forgiveness (Heb. 4:3–9).

Collect for Pentecost 21—O God, Your divine wisdom sets in order all things in heaven and on earth. Put away from us all things hurtful and give us those things that are beneficial for us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for deliverance from the love of money: Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Prayer for the proper use of wealth: Almighty God, all that we possess is from Your loving hand. Give us grace that we may honor You with all we own, always remembering the account we must one day give to Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Prayer for responsible leaders: O merciful Father in heaven, from You comes all rule and authority over the nations of the world for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do well. Graciously regard Your servants, those who make, administer, and judge the laws of this nation, and look in mercy upon all the rulers of the earth. Grant that all who receive the sword as Your servants may bear it according to Your command. Enlighten and defend them, and grant them wisdom and understanding that under their peaceable governance Your people may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness, and unity. Protect and prolong their lives that we with them may show forth the praise of Your name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Time in the Word
12–17 October 2015

Monday, 12 October 2015—Psalm 34:1–4; Antiphon, Psalm 34:18—The strange circumstances of this psalm are found in 1 Sam 21:10–15. David, in a moment of weakness of faith, had sought protection from Saul in a foreign king, rather than trusting in the Lord. When he realized his sin, he faked insanity and then wrote this psalm which proclaims the truth that true deliverance is to be found only in the Lord. Neither riches nor earthly power can deliver us from our circumstances, only the Lord.

Tuesday, 13 October 2015—Psalm 119:9–16—Psalm 119, the longest of the psalms, is a hymn of praise to the Word of God. This portion sings of the blessings of storing up God’s Word in our hearts. Oftentimes our children think it drudgery to memorize scripture passages; it is not until many years later that they recognize the blessing of knowing these nuggets of truth. We should all treasure the Word of God and delight in it as much as all riches.

Wednesday, 14 October 2015—Ecclesiastes 5:10–20—Many years ago, a reporter asked billionaire John D. Rockefeller, “How much is enough?” His famous reply: “Just a little bit more.” This passage from King Solomon, who possessed wealth of wisdom that surpassed his great wealth of riches, shows the futility of such thinking. Riches can be a blessing, but if they are allowed to control a person, they become a curse. Trusting in money more than in the One who provides the material blessings is idolatry.

Thursday, 15 October 2015—Hebrews 4:1–13—This portion of our reading through the book of Hebrews contains an exhortation and a warning.

We are exhorted to seek the true rest of the Lord, while warned not to make the mistake of the rebellious people of Israel, who hardened their hearts against the Lord, and did not enter into His rest.

Friday, 16 October 2015—Mark 10:23–31—Sunday’s Gospel is a continuation of last week’s. After the rich young man went away sorrowful, Jesus takes the opportunity to educate His disciples in the barrier that great wealth poses to one’s salvation. The temptation is to trust in the riches, rather than the Bestower of them. In fact, it is impossible, not only for the wealthy, but for anyone to earn His salvation by any means, even good works. Who can be saved? they ask. Who, indeed? No can, if he relies on himself. It is only by God’s grace that anyone can be saved, for all things are possible with God.

Jesus predicts His trial, execution, and resurrection for the third time, while walking boldly to His death. Jesus goes to die the sinners' death, accepting the Law's penalty in our place. Faith looks to Christ crucified and risen and says, "for me!" Luther - "Who is this "me?" It is I, an accursed and damned sinner, who was so beloved by the Son of God that He gave Himself for me." (AE 26:176)

Saturday, 17 October 2015—Sunday’s hymn of the day is Jesus, Priceless Treasure (LSB #743). It is a great hymn of faith, trusting in Jesus in spite of all trials and tribulations, sadness and trouble. Written in 1641, it soon made its way into most hymnals, being paired with a strong melody, one of the finest German Lutheran chorales.

Artwork by Ed Riojas © Higher Things

Lectionary summary on first page from LCMS Commission on Worship

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Pentecost 21 - Proper 23

Proper 23

11 October 2015

Mark 10:17-22

Enlighten our minds, we pray, O God, by the Spirit who proceeds from You that , as Your Son has promised, we may be led into all truth; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One god, now and forever.

Many people identify with this man. He could not wait. To taste real life. He ran to Jesus. Kneeling. He begged Jesus to give him life. He wanted “eternal life”. He had life. In the sense of its existence. But he wanted something more. He wanted a life of quality.

Today, people are more interested in life lived today. Rather than life lived in eternity. The tragedy? The man turned down the opportunity to get real life. The price was simply too high.

How do you then get real life?

By earning it? This life is not a reward. Compensation given for obeying the commands. This man sensed. That keeping the commandments wasn’t enough. For a spiritually satisfying life. Something was missing. He was right. Jesus told him. “One thing is lacking. Go. Sell everything. (Literally! Not figuratively!) And follow Me.”

That made the man sad. He walked away sullen. Just as our losses during this recession might saddened and anger us. When we experience painful loss. We look for deliverance. For something, more than a spiritualized religious lesson plan. We need a flesh and blood deliverer. Who is the one who can satisfy? It is Christ.

You know how the game is played. You simply follow the rules. This man was an expert at following the rules…Children were entering the kingdom. Certainly, there was something he could do to prove his worthiness. He felt justified. By his life and conduct. But he was only fooling himself. For there is only one person who has lived a perfect life. This man was speaking to that man. That man is Jesus Christ.

So, you can’t earn it. In that case, then do the next best thing. By buying it? This man had the wealth to buy it. – If it could be bought. He was rich. A man of many resources. If he had wanted it. He got it. And In this world. Those who “have it” have it good!

Or, so they think. For some. The mark of success is never having to ask how much does it cost. But that life which Jesus was speaking is beyond price.

This man called Jesus a “good teacher.” Hoping Jesus would teach him how to obtain life. Jesus refused to be his guru. He was more than a life coach. “Why do you call me good?” “No one is good but God alone.” (v.19) This man calls Jesus “good.” Only God is good. Do you accept the idea, the image, the impression, the intention…that Jesus is God?

Only God is good. The way to God. Is not to discover His secret for a good life, in order to earn God’s favor. Rather it is to come in faith to Christ, who alone can bestow eternal life.

Eternal life is “inherited” as a gift. From the One to whom we are fully committed. Jesus did not want anything standing in the way of Him.

Instead of following Jesus. This man chooses to stay with his money and his wealth. He walked away sad and bitter for he was a wealthy man. It was his money. Which he had given first priority in his life.

So what about you? What is your destiny? What is God’s desire of you? His desire is to give your life, liberty and peace. Freedom, security, happiness and joy. Regardless of cost or price.

He gives you all these things freely – without any cost without any price. It was all bought and paid for by His on Son’s blood.

Sadly, by the world’s standards, you are valued by the bottom line. By your salary, position, your home, your education, your status in the community, your appreciation for culture. Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you lack, he said. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. We have nothing without Jesus Christ. To know Him is to know all. To have Him is to have all.

All Jesus asks of you is your life. He asks that you simply follow Him and no one else. By following Jesus, you gain everything. It’s as simple as that.

With this one thing, a life with Christ you have everything. Having everything but that one thing, Jesus makes all the difference in the world. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but to lose his own soul? Today trust Jesus. Follow Him! Obey Him! He is the one thing, which makes everything else secondary.

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Words –828

Passive Sentences –2%

Readability –85.8

Reading Level -3.0

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Time in the Word - Pentecost 21 - Proper 24

By the Voluntary Poverty of Christ,
We Enter the Kingdom of God

Prayer for the proper use of wealth: Almighty God, all that we possess is from Your loving hand. Give us grace that we may honor You with all we own, always remembering the account we must one day give to Jesus Christ, our Lord,

Prayer in time of drought: O God, most merciful Father, without Your care and preservation all things wither and die. Open the windows of heaven and send bountiful rain on us to revive and renew the land. Graciously hear our prayer that we may praise and glorify Your name forever and ever; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,

Monday, 15 October 2012—Psalm 34:1–4; Antiphon, Psalm 34:18—The strange circumstances of this psalm are found in 1 Sam 21:10–15. David, in a moment of weakness of faith, had sought protection from Saul in a foreign king, rather than trusting in the Lord. When he realized his sin, he faked insanity and then wrote this psalm which proclaims the truth that true deliverance is to be found only in the Lord. Neither riches nor earthly power can deliver us from our circumstances, only the Lord.

Tuesday, 16 October 2012—Psalm 119:9–16—Psalm 119, the longest of the psalms, is a hymn of praise to the Word of God. This portion sings of the blessings of storing up God’s Word in our hearts. Ofttimes our children think it drudgery to memorize scripture passages; it is not until many years later that they recognize the blessing of knowing these nuggets of truth. We should all treasure the Word of God and delight in it as much as all riches.

Wednesday, 17 October 2012—Ecclesiastes 5:10–20—Many years ago, a reporter asked billionaire John D. Rockefeller, “How much is enough?” His famous reply: “Just a little bit more.” This passage from King Solomon, who possessed wealth of wisdom that surpassed his great wealth of riches, shows the futility of such thinking. Riches can be a blessing, but if they are allowed to control a person, they become a curse. Trusting in money more than in the One who provides the material blessings is idolatry.

Thursday, 18 October 2012—Hebrews 4:1–13—This portion of our reading through the book of Hebrews contains an exhortation and a warning. We are exhorted to seek the true rest of the Lord, while warned not to make the mistake of the rebellious people of Israel, who hardened their hearts against the Lord, and did not enter into His rest.

Friday, 19 October 2012—Mark 10:23–31—Sunday’s Gospel is a continuation of last week’s. After the rich young man went away sorrowful, Jesus takes the opportunity to educate His disciples in the barrier that great wealth poses to one’s salvation. The temptation is to trust in the riches, rather than the Bestower of them. In fact, it is impossible, not only for the wealthy, but for anyone to earn His salvation by any means, even good works. Who can be saved? they ask. Who, indeed? No can, if he relies on himself. It is only by God’s grace that anyone can be saved, for all things are possible with God.

Saturday, 20 October 2012—Sunday’s hymn of the day is Jesus, Priceless Treasure (LSB #743). It is a great hymn of faith, trusting in Jesus in spite of all trials and tribulations, sadness and trouble. Written in 1641, it soon made its way into most hymnals, being paired with a strong melody, one of the finest German Lutheran chorales.

Artwork by Ed Riojas © Higher Things

Lectionary summary on first page from LCMS Commission on Worship

This week’s Time in the Word written By Pr. J Keuning servicing parishes in Dexter and Casey, IA

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Pentecost 20 - Proper 23

Lord Jesus Christ, whose grace always precedes and follows us; help us to forsake all trust in earthly gain and to find in you our heavenly treasure.

Our gospel lesson concludes with a traumatic and tragic end. Here is one of the few times that a person walks away sorrowful from the presence of Christ. The man’s face fell. He walked away sad, because he had great wealth. Our prayer for today reminds us of two realities. The grace of God will always go before you. The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot protect you. Yet, we pray, for strength and help to forsake all trust in earthly gain only to find in Christ our heavenly treasure. There are plenty of distractions. There are plenty of diversions in our road that would disrupt us.

Give this man credit. Despite his youth, he realized there was something lacking in his life. He wanted something different from what he was experiencing. He needed something more. He simply existed. He wanted a quality life. His wealth was not enough. He needed something which money could not buy. His question is pertinent for our time, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

You can earn it. “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.” Follow the rules. Obey the laws of God. Convinced of his own righteousness, he replied, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Do you believe him? Don’t discredit him so quickly. Don’t dismiss him. He was the young man you could only hope your daughter would bring to meet the family for Thanksgiving. He had ethics. He was polite. He was pious; he was one of the few in Scripture who actually knelt before the Savior. He had an outward form of righteousness, so we may assume that he had acquired his wealth honestly.

Fulfilling multitudes of religious activities, he had never missed a Sunday service, he had always attended mid- week prayer meetings, he had never defaulted on his tithes. He had been quite meticulous with how faithful he had been in fulfilling the demands of the law. So yes, he was faithful. He was observant. He was a good scout.

Yet religious observance can only get you so far. Jesus alone is able to judge and observe the heart. “Why do you call me good? No one is good – except God alone! Herein lies the man’s problem. He though he was good enough to earn his keep. He was convinced that he had legal ground for him to stand on before God. Convinced he could earn his way based on his performance in the second table of the law he forgot his duties on the first table, his response to God. He forgot the standard placed before all - If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.^{^[1]} He struck out on two counts. He believes he could stand upright before God when He would mark iniquity. And with respect to the Father’s forgiveness? He did not need to revere the Lord, for he didn’t really need His forgiveness. He was too proud. He was not about to accept charity. Only the poor receive assistance. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

You can buy it. There are three ways of understanding the power of money. Some believe money is to be spent. Some believe money is to be saved. The third class believes money is nothing. Those who have it, have it good. Or do they? At what cost is a human life? What is the cost of a human soul? Both are priceless. The wages of sin place upon us a heavy price that none is able to pay except for the One who sacrificed His life for you. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Receive it as a gift. This is the only way to receive real and lasting life. Read, and mark those wonderful words most of you have put to memory. Whom - I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father in eternity, and also a true human being, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned human being. What - He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, How - not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. Why - He has done all this in order that I may belong to him, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally. ^{^[2]}

And how did this happen to you? Again, you know this! I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him. Instead the Holy Spirit has calls me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith. Just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith. Daily in this Christian church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all sins - mine and those of all believers. On the last day, the Holy Spirit will raise me and all the dead and will give to me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true!

Your life is a gift given by grace. Serve your Savior out of devotion, love and esteem. He has given you the greatest gift, real and abundant life at the price of His own life - Just as I am Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve. Because Thy promise, I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

[1] Psalm 130:3

[2] Luther’s explanation to the 2^nd Article of the Apostles’ creed

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Pentecost 21 - Proper 24

Luke 18:1-8

Persistence in Blessing – Persistence in Prayer

The Gospel for today and next Sunday, both dealing with prayer, show the Savior’s ability to use short stories about earthly life in teaching spiritual truths to His disciples and others who would hear. As with most good stories, these contain casts of only a few characters. Next week it will be the Pharisee and the tax collector. This week, let’s examine what the persistent widow and the unjust judge teach us about Persistence in Blessing, Persistence in Prayer.

1. What the widow in Christ’s parable teaches us.
A. About ourselves.
1. Like the widow, we also experience injustice and evil at the hands of others. In her case, we don’t know specifically what was involved. Similarly, we often don’t know beforehand what people will do to us; malign us, impugn our motives, pilfer our homes and businesses, persecute us in overt or subtle ways.
2. But we do know that our sin makes us deserve nothing but punishment from God. Not only do others sin against us, but we sin against them; thinking, speaking and doing evil over and over again. Each of our sins against others is also a sin against God, a striving against Him that earns the disinheritance and death for which all sin calls.
3. In the face of the evil done against us and the evil that we do, we are tempted to despair. We are virtually unable to help ourselves, and help from God appears to be unduly delayed.
4. But God invites us to seek His help and blessing for Christ’s sake. We are not unknown to God as the widow was to the judge. You are His elect” that is, He has chosen you in Christ before the foundation of the world. He has adopted you as his beloved child because of the work of His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ.
B. About God.
1. As the widow persisted in her please, so did our lord persist in His work of winning for you His Father’s good pleasure. He endured as your Substitute human injustice and wickedness, drinking to its bitter dregs the cup of suffering that the Father administered to Him as the result of your transgressions and sins. Never did He falter in carrying our His mission of salvation. He persisted, declaring, ”It is finished!” but also promising, “I am with you always!”
2. For the sake of His crucified and risen Son, the Father now persists in hearing your prayers and blessing you. Through Christ you have access to the throne of grace. What a blessing it is to uphold one another in our Friedheim family - taking our needs burdens joys and sorrows to the throne room of grace. Being thankful as the Savior answers each petition.

2. What the judge in Christ’s parable teaches us.
A. About ourselves.
1. In stressing that the judge’s decision was a selfish one, the parable reminds us that we also decide to do many things for a selfish desire to benefit ourselves, rather than a pure desire to praise the Father and benefit others. For example, our obedience to civil laws is sometimes motivated more by our fear of punishment than by a concern for the common good. Or a celebration of the Reformation can tend more toward worship of the self then toward proclaiming with thankfulness and patience the glorious message that the Father has entrusted to us the salvation of others.
2. Such selfishness is unrighteousness. Such selfishness is contrary to God’s will. Such selfishness deserves condemnation. Yet, it so thoroughly pervades all human thinking, that the parable is not at all absurd or unbelievable. The judge is a picture of how we by nature deal with each other!
B. About God.
1. How different in this regard is God form sinful human nature. We can contrast the judge’s forced and selfish decision with God’s willing and selfish promises. God loved the world so much that He freely and selflessly gave His only Son into death to save all sinners from death and everlasting death. Jesus did not regard equality with God as a thing to be grasped but rather humbled Himself and became obedient even to death. The Holy Spirit designs to enter even our frail and mortal bodies and build us into a holy temple in the Lord.
2. Unlike the judge, who in selfishness was erratic and suspect the Father is altogether trustworthy. He wants us to hold Him to His promises and blessings. Demand them! You are His child. His answers to prayer do not always come according to our time table. But He does answer – and always at the right time.

The Father wants you always to pray and not despair. Realize His faithfulness toward you. Be constant in prayer. The Father’s persistence in blessing leads to persistence in prayer.

Face of Christ
http://spiritlessons.com/Documnets/Jesus_Pictures/Jesus_Christ_Pictures.htm

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Time in the Word Pentecost 21 - Proper 23

Concerned Christians

The lessons for this coming Sunday give us a picture of people in luxury, affluence and leisure but without concern for the less fortunate. In the Gospel Dives has no concern for the hungry man at his palace gate; the dogs have more compassion for Lazarus than Dives does. In the Old Testament lesson we are shown a people enjoying the height of prosperity but who have no concern for the future of the nation. In the Epistle lesson we are admonished not to be concerned about worldly possessions but about the attainment of spiritual values. The theme of this week speaks to our culture, a people with more wealth, comforts and leisure than any other in the world’s history.

Can we find the Gospel in our lessons for this coming week? Where is the gospel in the Old Testament lesson? It is a passage dealing with judgment on a life of luxury. The Epistle calls for a Christian to “aim,” “fight,” and “keep” the Christian faith. In the Gospel the wealthy man goes to hell for not sharing his food. The five brothers are to avoid the fate of their brother by hearing Moses and the Prophets – no suggestion of eternal life by accepting Christ. This takes us to the theme for the day – having concern for others. Concern comes from being in Christ by faith. We have first experienced the concern of Christ and now we are concerned about our neighbor.

Monday, 11 October 2010—Psalm 119:73-75, 77; antiphon, Psalm 119:76— The Psalm section that makes up this week’s introit is taken from one of the many acrostic psalms and is based on the Hebrew letter “Yohd”. Compare verse 73 with verses 80,74, and 79 as well as verse 75 and 78,76 and 77. David asks the Lord to complete the forming He made in his life to help him conform to the Lord’s righteous laws that the arrogant may be put to shame and those who fear may rejoice.

Tuesday, 5 October 2010—Psalm 146— The focus is on God, the hope and help of His people, utterly dependable, caring for all in need. God reigns. While I live I will praise God. I will sing praise to God while I have any being. The grand outburst of Hallelujahs, with which the book of Psalms comes to a climatic close, is carried over to the end of the Bible itself, and is echoed in the heavenly choirs of the redeemed (Revelation 19:1, 2, 4, 6).

Wednesday, 12 October 2010—Amos 6:1-7— The lessons for this week give us a picture of people in luxury, affluence, and leisure but without concern for the less fortunate. The Old Testament lesson shows us a people enjoying the height of prosperity but who have no concern for the future of the nation.

Thursday, 13 October 2010—1 Timothy 3:1–13—Our reading through Paul’s first letter to Timothy gives the qualifications for those who hold office in the church namely church workers. In the Greek culture the word was used of the presiding official in a civic or religious organization. Here it refers to a man who oversees a local congregation. The equivalent word from the Jewish background of Christianity is “elder.” The duties of the elder or overseer were to teach and preach (3:2; 5:17) to direct the affairs of the church (3:5; 5:17) to shepherd the flock of God (Acts 20:28) and to guard the church from error (Acts 20:28-31).

Friday, 14 October 2010—Luke 16:19-31— The parable of Lazarus is the basis of the gospel lesson for this coming Sunday – In our parable, the rich man has no concern for the hungry man at his palace gates; the dogs have more compassion for Lazarus than the rich man. The parable teaches us that there are no assets after death, thus we reap what we sow now; seeds which lead to eternal life or seeds which will lead to destruction.

In this parable we have a description of wealth and total depravity. This is a description of today’s world. On the one hand is America’s wealth giving us the highest standard of living in the history of the world. On the other hand, we have a third world of poverty and hunger. It could be that the so-called wealthy, either nation or individual, is really the poor man a was the case in the parable. Americans may be the richest on earth, but they can be suffering from the poverty of their abundance.

In this parable there is a unique conversation of the dead. Abraham and Dives. The dialogue tells us some important things about the dead. One is in hell and the other is in paradise. This dialogue can give us a perspective of eternity which can influence our life on earth. There ids a reality of a post-earthly existence. There is another world after death. It is an existence in heaven or hell. Like Abraham and dives, people maintain their identity and recognize each other.

Saturday, 15 October 2010 – John 10:27-28; Psalm 23 — Sunday’s Hymn of the Day is Lord take My Hand and Lead Me (LSB #722). This is a much loved hymn that has made its way back to the hymnal in the pew. When German was the chief language this hymn was sung at almost every funeral. It speaks of the fact that the Savior leads us through every circumstance. As we journey through life realize that the Savior like a shepherd has promised that He will order your days as he shapes your life.