Devotion • April 28
Today's Hymn
“The King of Love My Shepherd Is”
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.
by Henry Williams Baker
Hymn 802, Glory to God
verse 3–4
Reflection
Henry Williams Baker composed this poetry in 1868 with the Twenty-Third Psalm as his inspiration. We all know this psalm; many of us can quote it from memory. I am sure that this psalm has been raised in silent prayers when we have been in extremis in one of many ways.
The first time I read the third verse of this hymn as I prepared to compose this devotion, I was struck with a new and far more personal impact. I can really identify with “perverse and foolish” when I think about some of my less than admirable moments. Why does God seek me even in these times? Baker is unequivocal — “in love.”
My experience with shepherds is nonexistent, and Baker’s word picture “on his shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me” gives me a completely new and fresh sense of God’s love. Because up to this point I concentrated on the valley of death and the role God’s love plays in those seasons of my life.
I am far more often perverse or foolish than I am in fear of my life. This poetry grants me a far more complete and complex experience of God’s love in my life.
Now more than ever before “the Lord is my shepherd” in everything and all the time.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for caring for me so much and all the time. I beg you to lead me to use that sure and certain knowledge to treat the world and everything, everyone in it with a pale manifestation of your love everywhere and all of the time. I pray in your Son’s precious name. Amen.
Written by Blake Anderson, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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