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.
"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.
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2026
January
365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - St. Ignatius ExamenHymn Reflection - God of Love, O King of PeaceThe Book of Deuteronomy - Establishing CommunityThe Epiphany of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Isaiah 58The Unexpected Ways of God: Mistakes Epiphany Rising Stars - Guidance365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Lectio DivinaEpiphany Rising Stars - InspirationThe Book of Joshua - God Keeps the PromiseThe Baptism of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Jeremiah 29:7The Unexpected Ways of God: Prayer365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Centering PrayerThe Book of Judges - Abundant MercyRated PG: Thoughts on Matthew 5New BeginningsEpiphany Rising Stars - Seasons365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Prayer JournalingEpiphany Rising Stars - ChangesEpiphany Rising Stars - Knowledge of LoveEpiphany Rising Stars - AweThe Book of Ruth - Challenging our AssumptionsStewardship SermonUnconditional LoveThe Unexpected Ways of God: FeastEpiphany Rising Stars - God Hold's the Future365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - The Jesus PrayerEpiphany Rising Stars - Beautiful SaviorThe Book of Ecclesiastes – Finding Meaning in God
February
Fourth Sunday after EpiphanyEpiphanies For Epiphany - GraceThe Unexpected Ways of God: SuprisesEpiphanies For Epiphany - Sanctification365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - GratitudeEpiphanies For Epiphany - Law & GospelThe Book of Philippians - Hope in Times of TroubleThe Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Epiphanies For Epiphany - CreationThe Unexpected Ways of God: Sports MoviesEpiphanies For Epiphany - Trinity365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Seasons, Rituals, and TraditionsEpiphanies For Epiphany - FaithThe Book of Song of Solomon – Love as a Reflection of God’s FaithfulnessThe Sixth Sunday after EpiphanyEpiphanies For Epiphany - SilenceThe Unexpected Ways of God: Niagara FallsThe Season of Lent365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Daily Life CuesUnlearning for Lent - I am what I accomplishThe Book of Isaiah - Hope in the Midst of JudgementThe First Sunday in LentHymn Devo - Lord of All HopefulnessYou Are SpecialUnlearning for Lent - I am what I accomplish CopyRated PG: Thoughts on Luke 4Unlearning for Lent - Performative Faith
March
The Second Sunday in Lent Unlearning for Lent - Scarcity MindsetLet Go and Let God Unlearning for Lent - DespairHidden but Still ThereUnlearning for Lent - Silence as Absence The Book of Lamentations - Hope in the Midst of SufferingThe Third Sunday in LentUnlearning for Lent - The Need to Fix EveryoneHymn Devo - What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine
2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...God, I wonder aboutThe Book of Hebrews - The Grand Story of Salvation
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