Retaining Victory
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
PSALM 23:5
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Retaining Victory
How, then, does it happen that Christendom, which is so weak, can withstand the craft and the tyranny of the devil and the world? The Lord is its Shepherd; therefore it does not want. He feeds and restores it spiritually and physically; He keeps it in the right path; He also gives it His rod and His staff as a sword. . .. Moreover, the Lord has prepared a table or paschal lamb before it, in order to destroy its enemies completely when they rage greatly, gnash their teeth against it, become mad, insane, raging, and raving, and call to their aid all their craft, strength, and power. Thus the dear Bride of Christ can sit down at the Table of her Lord, eat of the paschal lamb, drink of the fresh water, be happy and sing: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." These are her weapons and guns, with which she has defeated and conquered all her foes until now. With these she will also retain the victory until Judgment Day. The more the devil and the world plague and torture her, the better she fares. For her betterment and growth come in persecution, suffering, and dying.
From Commentary on Psalm 23 (Luther's Works 12:174)
March 26
PSALM 23:5
+
Retaining Victory
How, then, does it happen that Christendom, which is so weak, can withstand the craft and the tyranny of the devil and the world? The Lord is its Shepherd; therefore it does not want. He feeds and restores it spiritually and physically; He keeps it in the right path; He also gives it His rod and His staff as a sword. . .. Moreover, the Lord has prepared a table or paschal lamb before it, in order to destroy its enemies completely when they rage greatly, gnash their teeth against it, become mad, insane, raging, and raving, and call to their aid all their craft, strength, and power. Thus the dear Bride of Christ can sit down at the Table of her Lord, eat of the paschal lamb, drink of the fresh water, be happy and sing: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." These are her weapons and guns, with which she has defeated and conquered all her foes until now. With these she will also retain the victory until Judgment Day. The more the devil and the world plague and torture her, the better she fares. For her betterment and growth come in persecution, suffering, and dying.
From Commentary on Psalm 23 (Luther's Works 12:174)
March 26
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