Monday, June 22, 2020 Into Each Dark and Loveless Place

I came across a hymn recently that was a new one for me. I play and sing it frequently, for it gives me much courage and light in these days that often seem so dark. Scenes of injustice, rioting, and looting play through my mind as I sing “In these last days of great distress…” And when I experience a desire to retreat, I am emboldened to “shine Your Word of saving grace into each dark and loveless place.” Philipp Melanchthon, Luther’s right-hand man during the Reformation, wrote the first stanza, while Nikolaus Selnecker, a German musician and theologian, wrote the other five. He was a contemporary of Luther and Melanchthon. Those were tumultuous times – as are these.

Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide
For round us falls the eventide.
O let Your Word, that saving light,
Shine forth undimmed into the night.

In these last days of great distress
Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness
That we keep pure till life is spent,
Your holy Word and Sacrament.

To hope grown dim, to hearts turned cold
Speak tongues of fire and make us bold
To shine Your Word of saving grace
Into each dark and loveless place.

May glorious truths that we have heard,
The bright sword of Your mighty Word,
Spurn Satan that Your Church be strong,
Bold, unified in act and song.

Restrain, O Lord, the human pride
That seeks to thrust Your truth aside
Or with some man-made thoughts or things
Would dim the words Your Spirit sings.

Stay with us, Lord, and keep us true;
Preserve our faith our whole life through –
Your Word alone our heart’s defense,
The Church’s glorious confidence.

This is a proper battle hymn. Our worship is warfare. We carry light into darkness and hope into despair. Let us be bold and unified in act and song.