Tumults

More Wisdom from Martin Luther

For my SUN meditations I'm continuing to excerpt passages from Martin Luther:  Psalm by Psalm (CPH 2017). Once again I want to emphasize that Lutherans don't venerate Dr. Luther. We give thanks for the part he played in the Reformation. We do, however, continue to find his writings full of insight & wisdom, always based on Holy Scripture. Here is my contribution for today.

God's Word Speaks to Us

"Why do the nations rage & the peoples plot in vain?  Psalm 2:1

Luther Writes

"The Holy Spirit . . . teaches & consoles us in this psalm so that we cling bravely to this King [Christ] & think of Him much more than the tumults & other offenses. For it is a condition of His Kingdom that it cannot consist without tumults . . . Learn this & when the tumults swell, when the nations rage, the people plot, the kings rise up, & the rulers counsel together to suppress this King, then be in good spirits, & do not let yourself be moved by this peril. For the 2nd Psalm foretold that thus it would be, that the whole world would be moved when this King opens His mouth."

My Meditation

This particular psalm & devotion bring to my mind the ungodly workings of the leadership of countries such as China, where Christians are still being persecuted severely & churches closed; Turkey, Iran & other Islamic countries, where confessing Christ as Lord & Savior can be punished as blasphemy against Muhammed & Allah, possibly as a capital offense; & North Korea, where the tyrants have worked overtime to stamp out any Christian religion & practice, & believers can also be condemned to death or sent to labor camps. 

God is in control, although we may not see it at this time & place. Ultimately, His people will be saved & live with Him in His Kingdom forever. "Kings" who do whatever they can to erase all Christian influence & deny Jesus will receive God's eternal judgment.