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"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word," ELW 517
1. Lord, keep us steadfast in your word;
curb those who by deceit or sword
would wrest the kingdom from your Son
and bring to naught all he has done.
2. Lord Jesus Christ, your pow'r make known,
for you are Lord of lords alone;
defend your holy church, that we
may sing your praise eternally.
3. O Comforter of priceless worth,
send peace and unity on earth;
support us in our final strife
and lead us out of death to life.
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Let the countdown begin. Ten more days until the commemoration that some have been planning for the last ten years. Once again, the Christian community will be focusing on the central faith affirmations of Martin Luther, including the Lutheran accent on justification by faith. But with Luther there is so much more that is deserving of our attention. You will sense Luther's ability to sing about the trinity, while never losing sight of the oneness and wholeness of God.
In the second stanza Luther writes: "for you are Lord of lords alone." How consistent that in a hymn marking the threefold nature of God that the trumpeted accent is on the oneness of God. Whether the focus is on asking God to keep us steadfast, inviting Jesus to make his power known or on the reminder of the presence of God in the invocation of this "comforter of priceless worth," Luther moves with confidence and with ease as he pens these words of trust and faith in God.
Lord, God, keep us steadfast in your word. Allow us to join with other believers in every corner of the world as we give thanks for the continuing influence of Martin Luther in our lives and in our congregations. Amen.
Chris Quello, '66
Retired Pastor, Appleton, Wis.
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The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
Telephone: (651)641-3456-
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