Read Luke 22
I may have posted this hymn before, but I thought it very fitting for our meditation today. Jesus prays ardently in the garden, but the disciples slumber. In yesterday's reading, Jesus encouraged us to "Stay awake!" Of course, Jesus means much more than physical waking or sleeping. Though the disciples slumbered in the garden that evening, they certainly were watchful and vigilant after Jesus had died, rose, ascended, and given them the Spirit that they might be about the work given them to do. Let us also be alert, on guard, awake, vigilant, sober-minded, and working carefully for the Lord. And all the while, we defend against temptation.
The hymn helps us this endeavor. Lord we ask that you would strengthen us to do as the hymn says:
Rise, my soul, to watch and pray, from thy sleep awaken;
Be not by the evil day unawares be taken.
For the foe, well we know, oft his harvest reapeth,
While the Christian sleepeth.
Watch against the devil’s snares lest asleep he find thee;
For indeed no pains he spares to deceive and blind thee.
Satan’s prey oft are they who secure are sleeping
And no watch are keeping.
Watch! Let not the wicked world with its power defeat thee.
Watch lest with her pomp unfurled she betray and cheat thee.
Watch and see lest there be faithless friends to charm thee,
Who but seek to harm thee.
Watch against thyself, my soul, lest with grace thou trifle;
Let not self thy thoughts control nor God’s mercy stifle.
Pride and sin lurk within all thy hopes to scatter;
Heed not when they flatter.
But while watching, also pray to the Lord unceasing,
He will free thee, be thy Stay, strength and faith increasing.
O Lord, bless in distress and let nothing swerve me
From the will to serve Thee.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
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