May the God of Hope Go with Us (Song of Hope) ~ Hymn 765
Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal
Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.
My sophomore year in high school gave me the opportunity to study a foreign language. In our high school, two foreign languages were offered: French or Spanish. It was not a difficult decision for me to make as Mother had studied French and enjoyed it. I registered for French and enjoyed French I, II and II so much that I took 3 courses of French at UNC at Greensboro.
When I came to Winter Haven and met the late Carol Anne Golden, I welcomed the opportunity to refresh my French. At Winter Haven High School, Carol Anne taught French and Spanish. I miss my friend … her laughter, her “Southern” French, her smile and her joie de vivre! After having toyed with Spanish, I can imagine having some difficulty keeping the languages straight. If I tried to speak both, who knows but what another Romance language might evolve: Frenish.
The Presbyterian Hymnal (1990) was the first hymnbook of our denomination to include Spanish hymns. Glory to God (2013) continued this practice and included even more Spanish hymns. Song of Hope is one of those Spanish hymns and one of my favorites, although I sing the English translation.
We see how Isaiah 9 is a scriptural allusion to May the God of Hope Go with Us. Read/ sing:
May the God of hope go with us every day, filling all our lives with love and joy and peace. May the God of justice speed us on our way, bringing light and hope to every land and race. Praying, let us work for peace; singing, share our joy with all: working for a world that’s new, faithful when we hear Christ’s call
Prayer
O God, in prayer and praise we can use any language and You will hear. We thank You that we can learn new hymns to praise You and to sing them side by side with those who speak a different language. Remind us that as we strive to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, we can bring light to every land and race. In His name, we pray. Amen.