Savior of the Nations, Come!

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people.” O God, do not be angry with us because of our sins! If You kept a record of wrongs, O Lord, who could stand? Remember not our iniquity forever! On account of our sins, we rightly deserve only Your righteous condemnation and all-consuming wrath. Because You are the God of all the living, do not look upon us in judgment!

O Lord, we have failed as Your people. We have chosen the forbidden fruit, and have died to our own self-assertion and pride. We have not eaten from Your life-giving fruit, and failed to receive the fullness of life You created us to have.

“Behold, You were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?” We your people have languished long in our sins and trespasses. How long, O Lord? How long? How long will You hide Your face from us. How long must we lie in anguish on our beds, weeping through the night for want of Your mercy and grace? The course of our history, the path of our existence has been one of rebellion and bloodshed, violence and deceit. How long will You allow it to continue, O Lord? Will our sorrow know no end? Will You leave us in our despair?

“Oh that You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Your presence... and that the nations might tremble at Your presence!” O Lord, come down to us! Come speedily to rescue us! Show us Your mercy and grace! We weep night and day over our sins. We turn to You, You only for pardon and forgiveness. Against You only have we sinned and done what is evil in Your sight. Break forth from heaven with Your unspeakable love and mercy and rescue us from wrath and condemnation.

“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides You, who acts for those who wait for Him. You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember You in Your ways.” From of old, we have waited for You. Your faithful people have eagerly awaited Your coming and consolation. We await Your salvation. We know that You will come to save us from our sins, from the hands of all who hate us and would take our lives. You will come to free Your faithful people from their bondage to sin and death. You will do awesome things in the presence of all nations, and You will draw all nations to Yourself on Your holy mountain.

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand.” O Lord God, come to us and save us! Claim us as Your own chosen people. Make us to be holy and righteous and pure. Lead out of death into life. Show us Your salvation. Let us proclaim the wonders of Your grace from day to day in every time and place. You have done awesome deeds of mercy and grace for us. Help us to glorify You and proclaim the wonders You do for us. And lead us forth with singing out of the shadow of death and into Your blessed Kingdom.

There shall we all our praises bring

And sing to You, our Savior King;

There shall we laud You and adore

Forever and forevermore.

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.