MID-WEEK DEVOTIONAL
and Hymn Reflection
March 10, 2021
INVOCATION and READING
Into my heart, into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay;
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
(Harry Clarke, “Into My Heart” TFWS #2160)
Romans 5: 5-8
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Thank you God for the faith, hope, and love we find in your word. Glory to you!
HYMN REFLECTION
As I continue on my own Lenten journey, I can relate to the discomfort of opening my heart to reflection and change. Last week’s devotional expressed the desire that such vulnerability opens the door for God to come in. Today, I wonder how I may go about inviting Him in, that the brokenness found there may be replaced with God’s love and guidance.
I have always loved the hymn “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” (UMH #480). The text and tune in our hymnal form a perfect union that, for me, highlights the emotion of the human heart reaching out for God’s love.
As with many of the hymns we’ve visited here, this one comes from a place of pain and longing as well. Written on the eve of his sister’s wedding in 1882, its author, Rev. Dr. George Matheson (1842-1906), recalls the hymn’s creation:
“Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression rather of having it dictated to me by some inward voice than of working it out myself.”
The tune, written specifically for this text in 1884, is called ST. MARGARET, and was composed by Scottish organist Dr. Albert L. Peace (1844-1912).
Please click on the following link to read more of its construction and imagery.
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-o-love-that-wilt-not-let-me-go
May we find in this beautiful hymn the undying love of Christ.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please forgive my doubting heart – my hesitation and fear. Help me continue to make room for you as I let go of all that keeps me from you. I reach for you, inviting you to come in.
I long to appreciate more deeply your loving sacrifice on my behalf, and to let your example be the guiding force in how I love and care for all others. I pray in your most holy name.
Amen.
Offered by Joche Wilmot, Director of Music Ministries