Sit Beside the Lord- Lent 2020

                                                             photo credit to Jessica Meier

As we continue to make our homes into 
consecrated places of worship - 
here is a devotional thought from Natalie Hartwig.

Sit Beside The Lord in 2020

Almost twenty years ago I wrote a hymn which I titled, Come and Sit Beside The Lord. This hymn, which celebrated the blessings of corporate worship, was prompted by the observation of congregations gathering joyfully before a worship service. People greeted each other in the shadow of the cross that topped their steeples and spent time there, sharing and encouraging each other before moving into the nave to worship. I still love this ‘narthex time’ of social and spiritual warm up before worship, but I think these days of physical distancing and isolation offer a chance to see a new understanding of sitting at the feet of Jesus.

This understanding begins with the instructions to the enslaved Children of Israel to prepare for the first Passover in their homes. They were specifically advised to prepare only as much food as their family could eat. If their family was too small, they could join another family. The door of the house was marked with the blood of the lamb. They were to stay, safely, inside the house. (Exodus 12:1-13) 

Another great feast, Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles), was also commanded by God and specifically described as a small family act of worship. (Leviticus 23:39-43) Each family was to construct and live in a small, temporary booth, to remind them of the journey from the land of slavery to the land of promise when they were both led and fed by God. It is interesting to note that the instructions for the Sukkot begin with the instruction to do no work during the feast, but to concentrate on the Lord.

Finally, we come to Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus. She was not in a synagogue or temple, she was in her home, and Christ himself was there. Mary dropped everything and sat down, at the feet of Jesus. When Martha protested that Mary was avoiding the work of the household, Jesus told Martha to stop trying to pull Mary away from him. (Luke 10:38-42) Mary’s choice to sit at the feet of Jesus (the student position of choice) would not be taken from her.

Be careful, I am not trying to establish a pattern of avoiding corporate worship. There are many passages not only commanding such worship, but also speaking of the great joy and blessings associated with the same. Rather, I would have us consider the importance of worship outside of physical church buildings. When we cannot, for reasons of health or safety, gather together for corporate worship, we need to remember that Christ is present in our own homes. He is there whenever 2 or 3 are gathered together in His name. And for the believer who worships alone because he or she lives alone, Christ is also there. You have the Word of God and Christ is that very Word. (John 1:1) 

Just think of the powerful blessing that passage conveys. You can hold The Word of God in your hands and heart. So, stop your worrying and working. Come, sit at the feet of Jesus. Worship with your siblings in Christ. Take advantage of life streaming. Yes, I know the technical term is ‘live streaming,’ I selected the word life on purpose. Think about it. 

COME AND SIT BESIDE THE LORD

Tune: Nettleton HS98 # 876 (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing)

Come into God’s house with gladness; Come into God’s house with singing;

Come and sit beside The Lord. Come and sit beside The Lord.

He will comfort you in sadness, Hear the bells with joy loud ringing,

He will ev’ry joy afford. Here His graces are out poured.

At His feet now take your places, Brothers, sisters, now He calls you,

Let His words be read aloud. “Come and rest here, by my side.”

See His love on other’s faces Feel His arms surround and hold you

Let no doubt your vision cloud. In His love now safe abide.

Come into God’s house and rest you;

Come and sit beside The Lord.

Choose the one thing needful for you

Choose to listen to The Lord.

“It shall not be taken from you.”

He has promised to abide

With His love forever near you

And to keep you at His side.

Textual basis: Psalm 110:4; Psalm 84:1, 2; Psalm 66:16; Luke 10: 38 – 42

© Natalie Grace 2001

I am so fortunate as to have a devotion written by my Grandmother Pfitzer in which she references a favorite hymn verse of hers. I also have a copy of my mother’s confirmation hymnbook that contains the version of the hymn that grandma would have known. It is much longer than the version included now. Her favorite verse was #3.

Here is the longer version:

ONE THING’S NEEDFUL! (Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book published by CPH, 1927)

ONE THING’S NEEDFUL! (1927)

One thing’s needful! Then, Lord Jesus,

Keep this one thing in my mind;

All beside, though first it please us,

Soon a grievous yoke we find;

Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving,

No true lasting happiness ever deriving

The gain of this one thing all loss can requite

And teach me in all things to find true delight.

Soul, wilt thou this one thing find thee?

Seek not midst created things;

What is earthly leave behind thee,

Over nature stretch thy wings.

For where God and Man both in One are united,

With God’s perfect fullness the heart is delighted,

There, there, is the worthiest lot and the best,

My One and my All, and my Joy and my rest.

How were Mary’s thoughts devoted

Her eternal joy to find,

As intent each word she noted,

At her Savior’s feet reclined!

How kindled her heart, how devout was its feeling,

While hearing the lessons that Christ was revealing!

For Jesus all earthly concerns she forgot,

And all was repaid in that one happy lot.

Thus my longings, heavenward tending,

Jesus, rest alone on Thee;

Help me, thus on Thee depending,

Savior, come and dwell in me!

Although all the world should forsake and forget Thee,

In love I will follow Thee, ne’er will I quit Thee,

Lord Jesus, both spirit and life is Thy word;

And is there a joy which Thou dost not afford?

Special thanks to Journeys of Faith contributor- 

Natalie Grace Hartwig.