from the Sunday bulletin

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This was from Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. I'm front-and-center behind the communion table, singing with the church choir and guest vocalist Suzanne Vick, who reminds me of Rory Block in too many ways!

If the theology in this song were to be taken literally, I would find it quite offensive to my sense of reasoning. It brings up that cranky, difficult issue of theodicy--where is God in our suffering if God is all-powerful and all-loving? God is not about rescue but presence. When I think of 'delivered' I recall the midwives who companioned me while I gave birth. I was not spared the pain of labor, but I was graced with their care and faith in my ability to bring my children into the world. And if I am saved from anything, it is from myself. For me the meaning of this song is that we are not to give up hope, that we are companioned in all our sufferings, that God's grace is more than sufficient, and that mercy is God's ultimate power lived through our giving and loving.

He Never Failed Me Yet - by Robert Ray

I will sing of God's mercy
Every day, every hour he gives me power
I will sing and give thanks to thee
For the dangers, toils and snares
That he has brought me out
He is my God and I'll serve him
No matter what the test
Trust and never doubt
Jesus will always bring you out
He never failed me yet!

I know God is able
To deliver in time of storm
I know that he'll keep you
Safe from all earthly harm
One day when my weary soul is at rest
I'm going home to be forever blest
Trust and never doubt
Jesus will always bring you out
He never failed me yet!

Didn't my God deliver
Moses from King Pharoah
And didn't he cool the fiery furnace
For Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?
When I think what my God can do,
He delivered Daniel, I know he will deliver you
Trust and never doubt
Jesus will always bring you out
He never failed me yet!