Psalm 118:1

“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good,

His love endures forever.”

Martin Luther was a great man but, of course, not without flaws.  As a leader of the Reformation, he had to fear for his life.  Against all odds he lived to serve the Lord.

Luther claimed Psalm 118 as his “chosen psalm”.  While he loved and valued all the psalms, he said that this particular one “saved me from many a pressing danger from which no emperor, nor kings, nor sages, nor saints could have saved me.”

In the face of turmoil, changes and fears we find refuge in God and comfort in His Word.  Psalm 118 begins with giving thanks to God and declaring that He is good.  Then the psalm expresses the fears of our hearts:  “In my anguish I cried to the Lord and He answered by setting me free.”

We may be sure that troubles come our way.  Even more, we can count on the help of God.  The Lord Jesus told his disciples on the eve of his suffering and death, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  [John 16:33]  I pray that in Christ you will be able to overcome!

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector