Saturday, April 27, 2013
Psalm 19:9-10 The ordinances of the Lord ... are more precious than gold, than much pure gold.
THE BLESSINGS OUR SHEPHERD PROVIDES ARE PRICELESS
Once, when Martin Luther was expounding on Psalm 23, verse 2 -- "He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters" -- he spoke about the infinite value of the spiritual blessings which the Good Shepherd supplies for our eternal enjoyment through His Word, compared to the treasures the world regards as precious, which deteriorate and will one day be destroyed. Here is what Luther said:
"Let us learn the art of letting the world boast of great wealth, honor, power, etc. After all, these are light, unstable, perishable commodities, which God throws away. It is a trifling matter to Him to give a kingdom, principality, or some other honor and possession on earth to a wicked rascal who pays Him for it by blasphemy and dishonoring Him. These things are His bran and husks, with which He fills the bellies of the swine He intends to slaughter. But to His children, as David says here (Psalm 23:2), he gives the true treasure.
"Therefore, as dear children and heirs of God, we should not boast of our wisdom, strength, or wealth; we should boast of the fact that we have the precious pearl, the dear Word, through which we know God, our dear Father, and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent. This is our treasure and heritage; it is certain and eternal and better than the goods of all the world."
-- From "What Luther Says" (Vol. III, No. 4732)
