October 17, 2021
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:20-21
That night was a time of wrestling with God. Not that Luther feared any personal suffering that may lie ahead, but he had come to the crisis and felt overwhelmed with insufficiency to meet it. He cried out to God: “O almighty and everlasting God, how terrible is this world! Behold, it openeth its mouth to swallow me up…O God help Thou me against all the wisdom of this world…but the cause is Thine and it is a righteous and eternal cause….stand at my side for the sake of Thy well-beloved Jesus Christ…my defense, my shield, and my strong tower.”
In God’s divine providence, He had permitted Martin to realize his peril in order that he would not trust in his own strength. In his utter helplessness, he determined to hold fast to Jesus and, like Jacob at the Jordan (Genesis 32:26-28) received a blessing: peace returned to him and he gave thanks for being permitted to uplift God’s Word before rulers. The next day when ushered before the council, his countenance bore no trace of fear; only a calm, peaceful, and noble expression. His manner was respectful, yet manifested joy and confidence. “Most serene emperor, illustrious princes, gracious lords, I appear before you this day, in conformity with the order given me yesterday, and by God’s mercies I implore your majesty and your august highnesses to listen graciously to the defense of a cause which I am assured is just and true…..”
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:11-14