Friday, December 8, 2023  

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Today’s Hymn

For the herald’s voice is crying 
in the desert far and near, 
calling us to true repentance,
since the reign of God is here.
O, that warning cry obey! 
Now prepare for God away. 
Let the valleys rise in meeting 
and the hills bow down in greeting. 

Johannes Olearius’s “Comfort, Comfort Now My People”
trans. Catherine Winkworth 
from Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal 

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Reflection

This text is the third verse of Johannes Olearius’s “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” and its music does, indeed, bring much comfort to many people. It is much easier for me to remember the words to a song set to a tune playing in my mind than to just remember the words. The phrase that resonates the most with me is “since the reign of God is here.” Not is coming, not is expected, not is hoped for, but is here.

Truly, the world around me often argues that the reign of God is nowhere near. If I pay attention only to earthly voices, there is no comfort whatsoever. When I recognize that I can simply tap into God’s love and presence, feel the reign of God in my heart, to be comforted from all the slings and arrows I daily experience, my life both seems, and is, better. This sounds simple.

It is not so simple for me. I must daily recall that the reign of God is not forced on any of us. I have to intentionally avail myself of God’s gift each day. I also want to share this gift of God’s grace with others. Yet I cannot always find the words to make my experience clear to others. That makes sense, because I must remind myself in the midst of the flood of negative thoughts and pictures all around me to claim God’s grace.

My congregation of believers, who wrestle with the same issues, gives me the support I need as God brings God’s reign to me through them.

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Prayer
Dear Lord and Savior of us all, I ask that you keep me focused on you now and always. I also pray that I may be your vessel for your message of comfort to your people. Amen.

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Written by Blake Anderson, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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