Wednesday, February 28, 2024  

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Today's Hymn
“Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”

Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm!

by John Greenleaf Whittier
Hymn 169, Glory to God
verse 5

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Reflection

This is the final verse of “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.” There is some theology that we can teach hymns of prior ages. John Greenleaf Whittier penned this text in 1872, and the exclusive male references for God and for all people felt comfortable in speech of the late nineteenth century. Yet, to our ears, such speech is limiting. The language lacks the inclusiveness we know today.

Nevertheless, this hymn from a former time has something to teach us as well. In the plea for calm and escape from the chaos of the world, Whittier borrows from the story of Elijah in the wilderness (1 Kings 19:11–12). The prophet is running for his life when God meets him in the wilderness. There is wind, earthquake, and fire and, at last, a still small voice, which is sometimes translated “a sound of sheer silence.” And God, it says, was in the small voice. The voice encouraged Elijah to trust his faith and his calling.

The world in which we live is chaotic. The culture lacks maturity and civility, and in the face of huge challenges, it often seems we have lost the capacity to do the hard things well. I will admit for much of my ministry I have yearned to change the world. Perhaps it’s my age, but my prayers have become more modest. I just hope I don’t let the world change me in ways that are inconsistent with my faith and calling. Perhaps that will be enough.

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Prayer
God of every age, amidst the chaos of cultural voices that clatter with senseless noise, grant me ears to hear the still, small voice of calm, that I might live this day as you desire. Amen.

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Written by Tom Are Jr., Interim Pastor

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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