Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me?

Me and my family joined in on this past Wednesday's Lenten service at Our Savior Lutheran in Raleigh.  As somewhat of a newbie still to the Lutheran church, I am still learning many of the hymns.  We sang this most spectacular hymn which is new to me.  I think I have found my new favorite hymn.  This truly speaks of Christ's work.  How I have nothing to do with my redemption.  My hope is found in Him, and nothing else.



Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)



1)Why should cross and trial grieve me?

   Christ is near with his cheer;

   Never will he leave me.

   Who can rob me of the heaven

   That God’s Son for me won

   When his life was given?

2)When life's troubles rise to meet me,
    Though their weight may be great,
    They will not defeat me.
    God, my loving Savior, sends them;
    He who knows all my woes
    Knows how best to end them.

3)God gives me my days of gladness,
   And I will trust Him still
   When He sends me sadness.
   God is good; His love attends me
   Day by day, come what may
   Guides me and defends me.

4)From God's joy can nothing sever,
   For I am His dear lamb,
   He my Shepherd ever.

   I am His because He gave me

   His own blood for my good,

   By His death to save me.

5)Now in Christ, death cannot slay me,

   Though it might, day and night

   Trouble and dismay me.

   Christ has made my death a portal

   From the strife of this life

   To His joy immortal!

          --Paul Gerhardt

A Prayer in time of worry....

Lord, with my anxious cares and troubles I come to You, trusting in Your Word and believing in Your promises. You know that I have been greatly upset by the worries, fears, and doubts of the day. You must be my strength and refuge if I am to find peace of mind and healing for my body. Uphold me with Your almighty arm.

I am not worthy of Your love and mercy, for I have sinned and often done evil in Your sight. Blot out all my transgressions through Christ’s precious blood. Fill my soul with peace. Give me the grace to put all my trust in You.  Teach me, Lord, to believe Your Word. Remind me that my troubles are not from You. They are the curse of my sinful nature. But I know that You know that curse of sin, for Jesus bore it on the cross for me, that I might have victory over it. Help me to trust the promise of salvation and with it all Your other promises, especially Your promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Let these things sustain me in my daily struggle.

Let your healing hand rest upon me day after day. Keep my family and me in Your saving grace, and abide with us all the days of our lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.