Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,  (1Pe 5:6 NIV)

Would not every creature bow down humbly if it realizes the mighty hand of God is coming down? One may even ask, if that is humiliation if we bow down before the Almighty and most high, who created and owns heaven and earth and all that is. If we are entreated to humble ourselves and to bow down low before this mighty hand, then it becomes obvious that this hand is not visible as such and that we can’t recognize it as God’s hand by its appearance. The doubt whether this or that is really God’s mighty hand, stresses this point. Therefore it becomes all the more crucial to recognize God’s mighty hand as such. It is recognizable as it reveals itself in cross and suffering. If we evaluate the carrying of the cross, the bearing of some heavy load and the suffering of God’s will and calling properly and in divine light, then this is no humiliation at all, as this leads us forward and heavenward. Yet our feelings give mixed signals – if not downright negative feedback. We experience this as humiliation and as being let down. That is why we as Christians need to reevaluate and relearn what such humbling experiences really are worth for and what they truly signify, namely being drawn closer and closer to God himself. He himself is low and humble and therefore as he draws us closer to himself we too are lowered and humbled. All blessed Christians enter divine completion and fulfillment through loads of tribulation, suffering and hardship. That is the road into God’s kingdom. There is no other.

Almighty and merciful God! We plead you in our great distress and hardship – let us not fall into despair and faithless dejection. Rather prove your power and bring your faithfulness to light. You are our comfort and helper in our need. Do not forsake us! We humble ourselves under your mighty hand, so that you might uplift us at your pleasure and when it is best. Lord, strengthen our faith in you. Grant us a firm will and manly courage so that we would remain steadfast in bad days, carry out our vocation as would please you and not flee our posts cowardly. Remember all those, who have been targeted and wounded most. Pick up those disheartened and encourage the fainthearted. Teach us to recognize you aright in all these afflictions, so that we may fear, love and trust you above all else. We pray for your Church, its bishops and pastors, teachers and missionaries, helpers and supporters and for all, who have heard your word, who believe and trust in your holy promises and follow your divine laws and stipulations. Reign over us with your godly mercy and protect, keep and flourish your gracious gifts that you have showered over us. Lord God, you are our judge and our advocate, our savior and helper, our physician and best friend. We are yours – help us. Amen. (Mecklenburgisch-Schwerinsches Church book, 1927)

Calmly I sleep, kept safe by angelic bands. No trouble hurts me as I’m dreaming of heaven’s joys. Oh, how I long to be there with Jesus my Lord! (Benjamin Schmolck, 1672-1737)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the third Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 236 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.