I read Habbakkuk 3 this morning. God ministered to my heart greatly through it. This is a hard season, scheduled for a major surgery Friday. V16 is kind of how I have felt going through all these appointments and tests, and I feel as Habbakkuk stated: with trembling & quivering within- now I must quietly wait for the day of distress to come against the people invading us (this possible cancer invading my body- for God to win this battle whether miraculously healing here or allowing it to draw me into His eternal glory). There's still a small chance it's not malignant as my oncologist said and that's what we're praying for.
V17 sums up how this season could look (and probably does to some on the outside) had we not the hope of Jesus Christ, that even if all we see looks unfruitful and barren, we can as Veith says in his book "Authentic Christianity": "...see with the eyes of faith.
...God may be hidden, but Christians know by faith that He is present. Thus, they can give thanks for everything in their lives and do everything, no matter how mundane, in the name of Jesus. (Col 3:17)."
I read your email this afternoon what a great addition to what I already read today: YET I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! Yahweh my Lord is my strength.
I was greatly encouraged by what you said: " Yet- so that our rejoicing is fighting back against what's going on". This truly is spiritual warfare, the war of rejoicing
For sure I'm not rejoicing because of these circumstances, but I can rejoice because of what our Lord & Savior Christ Jesus has already done for us!
As Hebrews 6 says: 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
And John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Why is the "opposite of the Word and divine comfort thrown into our senses"?
Perhaps Luther in LW35 on baptism provides some insight as well. He writes, "In the second place you pledge yourself (in baptism) to continue in this desire (to die), and to slay your sin more and more as long as you live, even until your dying day. This to God accepts. He trains and tests you all your life long, with many good works and with all kinds of sufferings. Thereby he accomplishes what you in baptism have DESIRED, namely, that you may become free from sin, die, and rise again at the Last Day, and so FULFILL YOUR BAPTISM. Therefore we read and see how bitterly he has let his saints be tortured, and how much he has let them suffer, in order that, almost slain they might FULFILL THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, die and be made new."
What a fascinating idea...that our trials and suffering are God fulfilling in us the Sacrament of Holy Baptism! Everything God does in the life of Jacob, the lives of the saints, and in our lives, is to fulfill everything He promises to us in Baptism: 1) the forgiveness of sins, 2) our rescuing from death and the devil, and 3) our eternal salvation. Just marvelous!
Thanks for all you do Rev. Wolfmueller. It is a blessing to attend your bible class each week.
Dear Rev. Wolfmueller,
On the problem of evil:
1. We know that God is able. (see all of scripture, esp. the cross). Christ came to destroy the works of the devil - the evil one.
2. God is also willing. See Romans 9.22
3. The why is mysterious, but I believe that the answer begins with Philippians 2.6b.
~ Christopher
Perhaps having an answer is not quite as good as having a friend to lean on.
I read Habbakkuk 3 this morning. God ministered to my heart greatly through it. This is a hard season, scheduled for a major surgery Friday. V16 is kind of how I have felt going through all these appointments and tests, and I feel as Habbakkuk stated: with trembling & quivering within- now I must quietly wait for the day of distress to come against the people invading us (this possible cancer invading my body- for God to win this battle whether miraculously healing here or allowing it to draw me into His eternal glory). There's still a small chance it's not malignant as my oncologist said and that's what we're praying for.
V17 sums up how this season could look (and probably does to some on the outside) had we not the hope of Jesus Christ, that even if all we see looks unfruitful and barren, we can as Veith says in his book "Authentic Christianity": "...see with the eyes of faith.
...God may be hidden, but Christians know by faith that He is present. Thus, they can give thanks for everything in their lives and do everything, no matter how mundane, in the name of Jesus. (Col 3:17)."
I read your email this afternoon what a great addition to what I already read today: YET I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! Yahweh my Lord is my strength.
I was greatly encouraged by what you said: " Yet- so that our rejoicing is fighting back against what's going on". This truly is spiritual warfare, the war of rejoicing
For sure I'm not rejoicing because of these circumstances, but I can rejoice because of what our Lord & Savior Christ Jesus has already done for us!
As Hebrews 6 says: 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
And John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Thank you Rev Wolfmueller!
Would be thankful for prayers for Friday.
Glory to God!
Why is the "opposite of the Word and divine comfort thrown into our senses"?
Perhaps Luther in LW35 on baptism provides some insight as well. He writes, "In the second place you pledge yourself (in baptism) to continue in this desire (to die), and to slay your sin more and more as long as you live, even until your dying day. This to God accepts. He trains and tests you all your life long, with many good works and with all kinds of sufferings. Thereby he accomplishes what you in baptism have DESIRED, namely, that you may become free from sin, die, and rise again at the Last Day, and so FULFILL YOUR BAPTISM. Therefore we read and see how bitterly he has let his saints be tortured, and how much he has let them suffer, in order that, almost slain they might FULFILL THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, die and be made new."
What a fascinating idea...that our trials and suffering are God fulfilling in us the Sacrament of Holy Baptism! Everything God does in the life of Jacob, the lives of the saints, and in our lives, is to fulfill everything He promises to us in Baptism: 1) the forgiveness of sins, 2) our rescuing from death and the devil, and 3) our eternal salvation. Just marvelous!
Thanks for all you do Rev. Wolfmueller. It is a blessing to attend your bible class each week.
-Matt
This also speaks to why our "joy is spiritual warfare"