#26 In the Face of Persecution, Faith Trusts in the Word

Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my heart has stood in awe of Thy words. This is great grace, that the words (verba) of God are feared more than the scourges (verbera) of men, that the punishments threatened for the future have more effect than those inflicted in the present, that the invisible things mean more than the visible. Who does this but the most perfect faith in the future? A weak faith surely does not do this. For their flesh is more vigorous to fear and love visible things than the spirit is to fear and love invisible things. If this should be called vigor at all, and not rather the most wretched weakness, by which it comes about that future punishments that are so inestimable are given little or no thought over against punishments that are so paltry and short, and that future benefits so desirable are despised for the sake of present benefits that are so unstable and uncertain. But oh, if we could only ponder with due feeling what it means to say, “God speaks,” “God promises,” “God threatens!” Who, I beg you, would not quake from the foundation? It is a great word, a great and fearful sound to say, “Behold the Word of God!” Blessed are they who hear the Word of God, the Word of such great majesty, which holds, does, and ends all things by a nod. Here only a full faith is wanting. If it were there, it would cause full fear and trembling at the words of God, so that this happy boasting would belong to faith alone and to the most vigorous faith. (Luther’s Works, v. 11, p.517-518)