Saturday, July 6, 2013
Psalm 65:5-6 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength.
GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH
"When a country which God no longer protects is to perish, it may have the finest, the strongest people and yet be none the better for it. Babylon was such a city. It had no equal in the world, and no one could take possession of it. Yet it was shamefully overthrown four times, when men least expected it. For God can easily (says Psalm 107) "break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron" (v. 16), and no power is so strong for Him that He cannot suddenly tear it asunder if He wants to. Therefore as long as He protects, so long each country or kingdom stays and stands, and when He stops protecting it, it is done for. We should learn, therefore, not to rely on ourselves or to presume to sustain something but to call and to rely on Him to do this" (From "What Luther Says," Volume II, No. 1762).
Christ, by heavenly host adored, Gracious, mighty, sovereign Lord
God of nations, King of kings, Head of all created things,
By the Church with Joy confessed, God o'er all forever blest --
Pleading, at Thy throne we stand, Save Thy people, bless our land.
Let our rulers ever be Men that love and honor Thee;
Let the powers by Thee ordained Be in righteousness maintained.
In the people's hearts increase Love of piety and peace.
Thus united, we shall stand One wide, free, and happy land.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 566:1, 3)
