"With me Stands the Righteous One," a hymn about the Christian facing temptation with Christ

With me Stands the Righteous One
author: Joshua V. Schneider
meter: 78 78 77
tune: Lutheran Service Book 609, "Jesus Sinners Doth Receive", Meinum Jesum Lass' Ich Nicht (Darmstadt)

1.
Near me stood the Evil One,
though from my own eyes he’s hidden.
“Shall I throw the righteous down?”
Mocking words into the heavens.
“Will he trust in God each day;
if you take his goods away?”
2.
“Harm his family, harm his life,
then we’ll see if he still raises;
Prayer and thanks to God above
lifting high his holy praises.
Only when his life’s secure
will his trust in You be pure.”
3.
How could I perceive the cost,
knowing not the war was waging;
for my soul the devil wants,
threats and accusations raging.
“Ah dear God please tell me why,
these afflictions round me lie?”
4.
“Life on earth is all too short,
Can’t you see this human weaken?”
Father knows that we are dust,
has compassion on His children
Cast your burdens, every one
On my Chosen, Righteous Son
5.
Near Him stood the Evil One
In the desert tried to tempt Him
Mocked the Holy Son of God
tried to turn Him from God’s mission.
But Christ Jesus did obey;
Satan’s efforts turned away.

6.
God would prove His saints are true,
helping them withstand temptation.
Will not give too much to you,
He provides you help to face them.
Proving Satan he is wrong,
we are weak but God is strong.
7.
With me stands the Righteous One
In baptism I’m adopted
God shall make the righteous stand
Glorious words ring in the heavens.
“Put your trust in God each day;
He takes all your sins away.”
8.
“What you here on earth have lost
For my sake, my Son will give you
Strength to take up, bear your cross
And redeem your soul for heaven.
There in glory hundredfold
Treasures worth much more than gold.”


This hymn was based on reflections about the life of Job, especially verses 1-2, which describes the devil’s hidden attack against him, and how that relates to our own Christian struggle with crosses and temptation. Often the spiritual battle behind our struggles remains hidden from us as well (vs.3). Verse 4 echoes the words of Psalm 103, especially verses 13-17. Verse 5 parallels our temptation with Jesus’ own testing in the wilderness. Verse 6 tells us how God uses temptation and helps us. Verse 7 proclaims our victory in Jesus, and parallels to verse 1, capturing the theme of the hymn. Verse 8 looks to the eternal restoration of what we have suffered while bearing crosses and living for Jesus’ sake. Luke 9:23-26, Matthew 19:28-30. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sermon on Mark 14:12-26 and Exodus 24:3-11 for Maundy Thursday. "The Blood of the Covenant"

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. On this night we remember Maundy Thursday, the night on which Jesus was betrayed, and celebrated His Last Supper with the disciples. The sermon will be based on our Old Testament and Gospel readings, which link together the blood of the old covenant, and the blood of the new covenant. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Why are these two passages so closely linked, since the time and place of their occurrence are so different? Approximately 1,500 years apart, with Moses speaking to the 12 tribes of Israel at the base of Mount Sinai in the desert, while Jesus is speaking to the 12 disciples alone in the upper room of a home in Jerusalem. At first there seems to be little similarity—but notice one uncommon phrase that appears in both readings. “The Blood of the Covenant.” These words only infrequently appear together in the Bible. When Moses first spo
Read more

Sermon on Isaiah 40:25-31, for the 4th Sunday of Easter (1 Year Lectionary)--Jubilate (Shout for Joy) Sunday, "Who is Like God?"

Sermon Outline: ·          The conclusion of a conversation (begins vs. 9): “To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him says the Holy One.” Isaiah 40:25-31—God is asking, Have you considered His greatness? The size and reach of the universe? We have the most meager and inadequate measurements to try to grasp it. Man has not instructed God in wisdom or understanding, as if we could teach Him anything—neither about justice or knowledge. Compared to God, we are utterly nothing—dust, a drop in the bucket, nothing and emptiness. God is incomparable to anything we might compare Him too, and the thought of comparing Him to idols and false gods is an utter insult and foolishness. He is the One who laid down the foundations of the earth and stretched out the heavens like a tent. Our existence is momentary in comparison. ·          Don’t like to think of ourselves this way, as dust and nothingness, and it is greatly humbling, but the truth. How often have we challenged God’
Read more

Colossians 3:12-17, Wedding Sermon

(A wedding sermon I preached a few years ago) Colossians 3:12-17 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” P: This is the Word of the Lord C: Thanks be to God In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. The basis for the message
Read more