The Nature of the Word
There Abram preached the name of the Lord.
GENESIS 13:4 (according to Luther's translation)
+
The Nature of the Word
It is not the stones, the construction, and the gorgeous silver and gold that make a church beautiful and holy; it is the Word of God and sound preaching. For where the goodness of God is commended to men and hearts are encouraged to put their trust in Him and to call upon God in danger, there is truly a holy church. Whether it is a dark nook or a bare hill or a barren tree, it is truthfully and correctly called a house of God and a gate of heaven, even though it is without a roof, under the clouds and the open sky. Therefore one must pay primary attention to the character of the teaching and prayer, not to the character of the building. What God demands is that people be converted and He be glorified, but this is achieved solely through the Word and prayer. When Abraham spoke the Word here, he undoubtedly experienced the troubles that accompany it. For Satan, the adversary of Christ, was alive at that time too. Therefore he plagued Abraham with the countless evils that usually follow the Word—persecution, hatred, contempt, antipathy, and countless perils. These rewards of his godliness Abraham surely endured. Even though they are not recorded, we know that the nature of the Word is such that wherever it is taught, the prince of the world is infuriated. These are the two principal effects the Word brings about: it glorifies God, and it judges and condemns the prince of the world together with the flesh and sin.
GENESIS 13:4 (according to Luther's translation)
+
The Nature of the Word
It is not the stones, the construction, and the gorgeous silver and gold that make a church beautiful and holy; it is the Word of God and sound preaching. For where the goodness of God is commended to men and hearts are encouraged to put their trust in Him and to call upon God in danger, there is truly a holy church. Whether it is a dark nook or a bare hill or a barren tree, it is truthfully and correctly called a house of God and a gate of heaven, even though it is without a roof, under the clouds and the open sky. Therefore one must pay primary attention to the character of the teaching and prayer, not to the character of the building. What God demands is that people be converted and He be glorified, but this is achieved solely through the Word and prayer. When Abraham spoke the Word here, he undoubtedly experienced the troubles that accompany it. For Satan, the adversary of Christ, was alive at that time too. Therefore he plagued Abraham with the countless evils that usually follow the Word—persecution, hatred, contempt, antipathy, and countless perils. These rewards of his godliness Abraham surely endured. Even though they are not recorded, we know that the nature of the Word is such that wherever it is taught, the prince of the world is infuriated. These are the two principal effects the Word brings about: it glorifies God, and it judges and condemns the prince of the world together with the flesh and sin.
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever