Old Lutherans

368. Friday after Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Lord our God, give us
the light and joy of the Spirit.

Romans 8, 28-32. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

❦

This is the voice of a soul which is filled with joy; a song of victory in the very midst of every manner of danger and trouble. Too often we complain with David: “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?” — God grant that the spirit of gladness in our Bible lesson might enter our poor hearts, that we also, in spite of all our distress, may sing: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” — We are of those who “love God,” if we daily resign ourselves to him, and ask of him grace to deny ourselves, but do his pleasure; “for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” We are called according to God’s eternal purpose in Christ, and have obeyed the call. Therefore the glorious comfort contained in our Bible lesson belongs to us also.

We know that all things work together for our good. We know this. We do not see it; neither do we comprehend it; but in faith we “know it.” “All things” — so our text plainly says — all things; good fortune and bad fortune, nay sin, and temptation, and danger, and death; all things work together for our good; they help to encourage us, humble us, strengthen us, purify us. In Romans 5, 3-5, Saint Paul speaks of the benefits of tribulations; and Saint James says that we shall “count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations.” When it seems to us that we do not love God, are not called to glory, and that everything goes against us rather than for us; this also must be for our good. Do not forget that “all things” promote our welfare. The eternal love of God in Christ embraces us and all our ways. Before the world was he knew us, and ordained us in Christ to be brought low and to be exalted, to lose all things and die, and to possess all things and live. In the Son he loves us eternally; of this love he gave us the Son for our Savior, reconciled us with himself, and made us the brethren of the only begotten of the Father. And that which he has begun he shall perform; so that we shall be glorified as surely as we have been called and justified. Whom he has called and justified, “them he also glorified.” “What shall we then say to these things?” Are we to sigh and complain? Yes, on account of our unbelief we may! But at the same time we shall say: God is for us and with us; he is our friend, our Father; God the Almighty is on our side; “who can be against us?” Who or what can harm us? Our cause is in all these things his; must not, then, all things make for our benefit? Why are you sad, despondent Christian? Is not everything well? Hear what the apostle further says: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” The “Only Begotten” was not in God’s eye too precious to be sacrificed for us; him God delivered up for us all, for our benefit, for our reconciliation, when we were enemies, — how impossible, then, that he should deny us anything which our welfare demands! How utterly impossible! How should it come to pass that he should not with him also freely give us all things? “With him” we have already received all things; for is he not the beloved Son of the Father, and are not all things his; all mercy, all salvation, all victory, all treasures, the heart of God, and everything in heaven and on earth? Him we have received, that we might become partakers of all these blessings; how, then, shall God not with him freely give us all things? It could not by any possibility be otherwise; my unbelief is silenced and must pale into nothingness before the clear light of the Spirit of truth. — Ponder our text, speak of it with God in your chamber, and remind him of his promise; and you will come to say with Paul Gerhard: “If God be for me, let whatsoever will be against me; in the joy of prayer I shall tread it under foot. If God be willing to hear me, and if the Father love me, the devil and all his hosts can do me no injury.” — Merciful God, give us this faith and courage. Amen.*

Who puts his trust in God most just
Hath built his house securely;
He who relies on Jesus Christ,
Heaven shall be his most surely.
Then fixed on thee my trust shall be,
Whose truth can never alter;
While mine thou art, not death’s worst smart
Shall make my courage falter.

[TLH 437, LSB 714, ELH 261; listen here]

* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.