What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine

"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"

— From the hymn “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine” ELW #774

I love the line in Romans 8:31: If God is for us, who can be against us?

It's a good question for us to reflect on when it feels like our lives or the world is spiraling out of control. Sometimes, we just need to zoom out; take a step back and remember that we are held by a force so much more powerful than whatever we are facing.

When we lean on God, we are not leaning on optimism. We are leaning on a Presence that has already walked through suffering and come out the other side. The cross itself tells us that even loss, rejection, death are not beyond God’s redeeming reach.

The Blessed Peace that our faith promises us is not, then, denial. It is defiance.

It is the quiet confidence that says:
Yes, this is frightening.
Yes, this matters deeply.
But I am not facing it alone.

What do we have to fear when the One who holds the universe also holds us?

God’s peace does not erase reality but rather it steadies us within it. It reminds us that whatever comes, love remains, and love is stronger.

Today’s affirmation:
God of peace,
when fear rises, steady me.
Help me lean into your presence
and trust that your love is greater than what I dread.