ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // This hymn is a prayer the Holy Spirit might come to us, as Christ has promised. When we ask that the Spirit “make our hearts His dwelling” it is repeating to God what Jesus says in this week’s Scripture reading: that the Spirit will be sent and be with God’s people forever! This dwelling is permanent - that we might be strengthened by the light the Holy Spirit brings - life from heaven - new life in Christ.

Stanza 2 // While the gift of the Holy Spirit may be appreciated as we consider this week’s Scripture passage, the second stanza of this hymn highlights our need for God’s work in this way. Apart from this promise, we “surely stray” - there is no doubt! This echoes Jesus words in St. John’s Gospel - “the world neither sees [the Spirit] nor knows Him.” This is why the hymn calls this the “narrow way” with “wise counsel.” There is a second dose of reality in this stanza. Those who are given the Spirit will be “derided” by the world. For this reason, the poet prays for “steadfast” or immovable freedom in the promise of Jesus Christ. Finally, we pray for those who ridicule the gift of the Spirit - that hearts might be healed, and all might come to know the gift of God in Christ, who is the light which cheers our broken hearts.

Stanza 3 // If we wonder why we spend three minutes singing to and praying for the gift of the Holy Spirit, this stanza has an answer! In “doubt and strife” we ask that the promise of God - given in His Word - would keep us faithful unto death and through death. In the power of the Spirit, we confess Christ, whose gives us His blessing:  “Because I live, you also shall live!” In this Word, we are cherished by God, and so cherish this promise above all things.

SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 786 -  O Holy Spirit, Enter In - ᴡɪᴇ ꜱᴄʜöɴ ʟᴇᴜᴄʜᴛᴇᴛ
• ELW 402 - Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ - ᴀᴅᴏʀᴏ ᴛᴇ ᴅᴇᴠᴏᴛᴇ
• ELW 449 - We Know That Christ Is Raised - ᴇɴɢᴇʟʙᴇʀɢ
• ELW 594 - Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice - ɴᴜɴ ꜰʀᴇᴜᴛ ᴇᴜᴄʜ