Taking a Stand with Luther
This cause does not belong to me but to Christ.
As Lutherans prepare to celebrate the Reformation of the church, we thank God for the contributions of Martin Luther. Below are his inspiring words that point us to the Word of God when facing trouble because of our faith. The rest of this devotion is a copy of Luther’s writings:
“See to it, therefore, that you have a genuine divine cause for the sake of which you suffer persecution and that you are really convinced of it so that your conscience can take a stand and cling to it, even though the whole world should stand up against you. The primary thing is that you grasp the Word of God firmly and surely so that there can be no doubt or hesitation.
Then you would have to see to it that your heart is convinced and persuaded that the Word of God has made these things free and unprohibited, that it even commands us to take them seriously and to stake our lives on them.
Then you can have this confidence to say: This cause does not belong to me but to Christ, my Lord. For I have not concocted it out of my own head. I have not assumed or begun it on my own or at the advice or suggestion of any man. But it has been brought and announced to me from heaven through the mouth of Christ, who never deludes or deceives me but is Himself sheer Truth and Righteousness. At this Man’s Word I will take the risk of suffering, of doing and forsaking whatever I should. All by itself, His word will accomplish more to comfort and strengthen my heart than the raging and threatening of all the devils and of the world can accomplish to frighten me.
Who cares if a crazy prince or foolish emperor fumes in his rage and threatens with sword, fire, or gallows, so long as my Christ is talking endearingly to my heart, comforting me with the promises that I am blessed, that I am right with God in heaven, and that all the heavenly host and creation call me blessed? Just let my heart and mind be ready to suffer for the sake of His Word and work. Then why should I let myself be scared?
As Isaiah 51:12-13 says, “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor?” That is to say: He who comforts you and takes pleasure in you is almighty and eternal. When it is all over with them, He will still be sitting up there, and so will you. Why, then, let the threatening and fuming of a miserable, stinking bag of worms concern you more than this divine comfort and approval?
Be grateful to God and happy in your heart.”1
PRAYER: God, you are my refuge and strength. Be my deliverer in all trouble, and my help in every need. Be my salvation now and forever. Amen.
1Plass, Ewald M. What Luther Says. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. 1959. 1034-1035.