Friday, November 23, 2007
I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
MORE THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS
From Luther's Large Catechism
From this article we learn that no one of himself obtained or could by himself preserve his life or any of the things that have been mentioned or could still be added, no matter how small and unimportant. All this is included in the word "Creator."
In addition, we also confess that God the Father not only gave us all that we have and see before our eyes, but He also daily protects and defends us against all evil and misfortune, turning aside danger and mishap of every sort. All this He does out of pure love and goodness, without our deserving it, like a kind father who takes care of us so that no harm may touch us.
It would take many words to describe in detail how few there are who believe this article. For all of us skim over it, hear it, and recite it without recognizing and considering what duty and privilege this article lays upon us. If we could believe it with our whole heart, then we would also act accordingly and would not so proudly strut about, insolently pluming ourselves as though we ourselves had produced our life, wealth, power, honor, and the like, and as though others must therefore fear and serve us. This is the world's perverse, wicked way: drowned in its blindness, it misused all the good gifts of God solely to serve its pride, greed, pleasure, and enjoyment, not even giving God so much as a thought, a word of thanks, or an acknowledgment that He is Lord and Creator.
