Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. (Mat 21:21 NIV)

Let’s answer “Amen” and not doubt! Believing steadfast and simply is the best way to thank our God and Lord Jesus Christ. Believing that all that’s written by the apostles and prophets concerning the blessings of his suffering is true. Believing that all that happened in and through Jesus Christ happened for us and our salvation, for you and for me, that his death delivered you too from the power of the devil, sin and death, that you too are now a child and heir of God!

If however you do not experience peace and joy in this your belief as you think you should as a believer in all that God has so graciously done for you, do not become ungrateful, don’t think that your faith is just vain and useless! Do not be put off, do not doubt, but rather live and die in the promise, that amidst all darkness that surrounds you, you still are blessed and very much a child of God. Hold out and cling to the hand of God. He oftentimes leads through dark valleys that you can not even see the rod and staff of your good Shepherd leading you on in the encompassing storm and gloom.  Just learn to give heed to your Lord and continue learning to understand him!  “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom 8:37 NIV) Do not even think that because its now night the son will never shine again. The night has its measure and ending and at the end the sun will rise again. And then if its day again, you will see very clearly, that his rod and staff guided you all the way just as his holy angels kept a watchful eye over your progress all along.

O Lord, our heart is wretched and poor, enrich it yourself. The abode of our soul is in ruins, edify and build it yourself. Our own dress is in shreds, dress us with your garments of righteousness. Grant that we only fear you and nothing else in this world. Grant that we love you above all else and desire all only in you. Grant that we only trust you and despise the comfort of this world. In such fear and love and trust unite us with the holy congregation of those, that you have already perfected in your sight and that praise you now and eternally. Amen.  (Chr. Geyer)

Take now both my hands as I renew my commitment to You o Lord Jesus Christ: I want to love you until the very end and therefore commit everything into your hands. O Lord Jesus Christ, engrave your name and your crosses signatory onto my forehead. Amen! Yes, Amen, Amen a thousand times.  (Hermann von Bezzel, 1861-1917) The translation is rather literal and neither poetic nor hymnal)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for  Friday after the 6^th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 94 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and puplished in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.)