Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal
Isaiah 63:16
For you are our father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.
To my knowledge, I have only met one hymn writer and that one is the author of this hymn. The Rev. Brian Dill, who served as Associate Pastor at North Lakeland Presbyterian Church, wrote the lyrics, that were set to the tune: Darwall’s 148th, also the setting for “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!”
A hymn competition was sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (USA) Bicentennial Committee for the 1988-1989 observance which had the theme “Celebrate the Journey.” Brian was a great guy and a very humble servant. He wrote some wonderful lyrics for that occasion and the hymn has become quite popular in Presbyterian Churches. I enjoyed getting to know Brian and I would have liked to have known him better, but he joined the Church Triumphant in October 2016.
In these verses Brian writes of the past, present, future, and eternity: encouraging us to catch the vision, dream the dream and magnify the Crucified, who is the Redeemer of whom Isaiah wrote. We are called to come celebrate the journey and praise the Lord.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord for poets and hymn writers who inspire us. We are grateful for their gifts that enhance our spiritual life and our communal worship. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.