What a Fellowship, What Joy Devine

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“What a Fellowship, What Joy Devine,” ELW 774

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain

Leaning, leaning, (Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)
safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, (leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus,)
leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on the everlasting arms. Refrain

My father-in-law often jokes with me at the end of day. He asks, "So, did you wipe out all the evil today?" "No," I say, "I have to go back to work again tomorrow." There will always be more work to do in God's kingdom.

This simple song contains some pointed reminders that the work we do is not our own. Nor do we do it alone. The work of the church is always done while leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus, while seeking his lead and his strength. The echo of the chorus makes clear that this is group work that we do. As members of the body of Christ, we come to rely on the shared variety of the gifts and strengths of one another.

May we find joy knowing that God is in charge of the work that we do, and that we work—and sing—in the fellowship of Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us to work in your kingdom. Teach us always to lean on the loving arms of Jesus as together we do the work you've put before us. Amen.

Keith Anderson