Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Psalm 2 - Two Worlds

AELW 12:92-93

"There are two worlds, as it were. The one is the devil’s, in which men are secure, proud, neglecting God and the Gospel. The Holy Spirit warns them that they must get rid of their false security, or they will perish on their way. The other is Christ’s. In it are the afflicted and miserable men who are disturbed by the sense of their sins and fear punishment for their sins, eternal death, and the wrath of God. And yet, because they see that the Son of God was made a sacrifice for their sins, they have hope for mercy. The Holy Spirit comforts them with the marvelous word: “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him,” or hope.

...this psalm describes the heavenly religion and true worship together with the true church and Christ, its Head. It shows that although the church lies hidden and concealed in the world and Satan and the godless seem to rule, yes, even in our own flesh, nevertheless through faith in this King the church conquers at last and triumphs against Satan and the whole world, according to this thought: “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” And so in the very great difficulties with which the church must battle, suffering and oppressed, as it were, on all sides, we also should hold to this comfort with both hands because, hoping in Christ, the Son of God, we are blessed. Amen."

No comments: