Herrenhuter readings for the 4th Sunday in Advent, the 21st December 2014

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

3.-Advent-Angela-Sp.For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:11) Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne. (Revelations 1:4) 

A very blessed 4th Sunday in Advent to you and yours + It’s been a long way coming, but now Christmas is around the corner. It’s just about time for the big holidays of the Church celebrating the incarnation of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Lot’s has been done in preparations and the celebrations are going  to be marvellous around the globe – and all because the little baby Jesus was born of the virgin Mary there in Bethlehem with Joseph, some shepherds from the surrounding fields and all the heavenly hosts. God becomes man. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father in eternity becomes our brother. And blessed is everyone, who does not take offence at God’s wonderful doings + ways.

His thoughts, plans and works of salvation for us and all mankind are just divine and truly amazing. Way beyond any of our conceptions, theories and ideas. However its not just the way to salvation that is so out of this world, it is also and foremost the absolute mercy and goodness of his ways, miracles and wonders. See – none of us deserved to be saved. Our well earned lot was to be condemned forever to living  separated and distant from the source of all goodness and the presence of the living God himself. Yet he overcame the terrible divide. Gave himself as the ransom for us and returned us to the place, where we were destined to be by his very favour, grace, love and kindness. That’s why at his birth the angels sing gloriously: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14) It’s peace again between God and man. The enmity due to our sinful fall has ceased. We’re back in his favour and good books, because his Son Jesus Christ filled in our names there – way back in the most ancient of days. We belong to him and we’re destined to get back home finally. That’s the final chapter of the century long quest of mankind and all humanity. 

That’s why all over the world the celebrations are kicking off even now. We have all reason to be joyful and exited. God has given us his only begotten Son, so that all who believe in him, shall not perish, but live eternally at peace with him – now and for ever. So – let the party begin. The holidays are starting and we can praise and glorify our newborn king, who lives and reigns over all and forever – for us and our salvation. Amen.

“O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee” by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

1. O Lord, how shall I meet Thee,
How welcome Thee aright?
Thy people long to greet Thee,
My Hope, my heart’s Delight!
O kindle, Lord, most holy,
Thy lamp within my breast
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please Thee best.

2. Thy Zion strews before Thee
Green boughs and fairest palms,
And I, too, will adore Thee
With joyous songs and psalms.
My heart shall bloom forever
For Thee with praises new
And from Thy name shall never
Withhold the honor due.

3. I lay in fetters, groaning,
Thou com’st to set me free;
I stood, my shame bemoaning,
Thou com’st to honor me;
A glory Thou dost give me,
A treasure safe on high,
That will not fail or leave me
As earthly riches fly.

4. Love caused Thy incarnation,
Love brought Thee down to me;
Thy thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling,
That led Thee to embrace,
In love all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race!

5. Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn o’er joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not, He is near you,
Yea, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bids you weep no more.

6. Ye need not toil nor languish
Nor ponder day and night
How in the midst of anguish
Ye draw Him by your might.
He comes, He comes all willing,
Moved by His love alone,
Your woes and troubles stilling;
For all to Him are known.

7. Sin’s debt, that fearful burden,
Let not your souls distress;
Your guilt the Lord will pardon
And cover by His grace.
He comes, for men procuring
The peace of sin forgiven,
For all God’s sons securing
Their heritage in heaven.

8. What though the foes be raging,
Heed not their craft and spite;
Your Lord, the battle waging,
Will scatter all their might.
He comes, a King most glorious,
And all His earthly foes
In vain His course victorious
Endeavor to oppose.

9. He comes to judge the nations,
A terror to His foes,
A Light of consolations
And blessed Hope to those
Who love the Lord’s appearing.
O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth Thy beams so cheering,
An guide us safely home.

The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #58 on Text: Matt. 21: 1-9
Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1653 original title: Wie soll ich dich empfangen
Composer of Tune Melchior Teschner, 1613: Valet will ich dir geben

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 20th December 2014

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus calms the storm with apostlesYou rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them. (Psalm 89,10) But Jesus arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8,26)

That’s just what we need before and during the Christmastide – a God that rules the raging seas and stills them at will, granting great calm. Thank God the almighty and merciful Lord of all, that he’s revealed himself as the one, who can and will do this.

From the beginning the seas are the unruly chaos forces too big for our control. Throughout the ages men have made use of the mighty currents, forceful winds and wide open spaces of the global oceans to move good, travel to and fro and flee here and there. Fishing the seven seas is as lucrative as ever and searching for your Moby Dick has lured adventurous entrepreneurs to a new Eldorado hidden beneath those waves again and again as they chase those blowing tell-tale plumes of white deeper and deeper into the depths. Today many talk of unheard of treasures under  the polar caps both north and south. Putin is licking his lips, but there are countless others, who would rather have it for themselves.  There are even plans to harness some of the unceasing motions of the deep sea currents and transfer them into our energy grids utilising the abundant strength ready for the picking. This does however all comes at a price and the seas strike a hard bargain – just ask Noah, Ahab’s wife or even St. Peter:  We’ve fished the entire night and caught nothing! 

Well, Jesus Christ – our Lord and God – proves himself as the one, who controls the waters of the depths, the oceans and seas as his own. He walks on it as on firm ground. He feeds his people from its abundance with great numbers of fish caught out of the blue. He even changes it into the best wine – signs of divine surplus and overflowing goodness, signs of the celestial feast to come and which we can expect as soon as he’s ready and opens up the doors to his heavenly realms for all his people to see and enjoy in eternal bliss. Even the most wonderful and delightful Christmas tree, gifts and lights will dim in comparison to the godly tree of life, the heavenly manger and God’s very own presence in absolute glory, beauty and fulfilment.

This Jesus stills the most violent storms and battles. Not just those on the Sea of Genesareth for that apostolic band, not just the Red Sea for the fleeing people of Israel, not just the Mediterranean Sea for the captive St. Paul and his military entourage, but also the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic and Pacific too. Keeping and preserving his people safe and sound even through the most terrible upheavals. No tornado, hurricane or tsunami can tear his people from his hand and loving care. He bears us close to his heart and doesn’t let us fall away by the wayside. Rather he calms the wind, lets the thunder die down and prevents the lightning bolts from harming his people. Together with the Church we sing: “His body and His blood I’ve taken In His blest Supper, feast divine; Now I shall never be forsaken, For I am His, and He is mine.My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day.” (LH 598,9)

It’s a deep truth that was confessed there by the orchestra on the sinking Titanic with those heart wrenching melody: “Nearer my God to thee…” or the hymn sung at the funeral of old Johannes, who was struck by lightning decades ago: “For me to live is Jesus, To die is gain for me…” or at the funeral of missionary Thomas Seidel, who drowned just meters from the shoreline in full sight of his family: “In the midst of earthly life…” or when Angelika’s little brother Martin was buried, who had drowned in the little family fish pond days before Christmas: “Who knows when death may overtake me…“. For little children can die, while old people must. That raging storm is still ahead and blessed are those, who don’t face that storm alone, but are covered, protected and strengthened by the Lord himself: “My God, my God for Jesus sake’ I pray: Thy peace may bless my dying day + ” (TLH 598)

We believe and confess that they, who have been baptised into the violent and stormy death of Christ – drowned in the raging floods of this chaos flood – that they will be raised again to eternal life with him by the divine power of his resurrection and creative word: I live and you shall live also! and Where I am my people shall be also! His merciful absolution and divine favour grant peace beyond all we know and have experienced so far – a great calm, salvation from all evil and eternal bliss in his gracious presence – even like the arc of old – a safe haven from the destructive deluge and chaotic floods, when all else will drown and perish, God’s people will be carried to safety and the eternal calm.

So we pray in anticipation of all storms and even the most dreadful one of death coming up front:”Then may death come today, tomorrow, I know in Christ I perish not; He grants the peace that stills all sorrow, Gives me a robe without a spot. My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray Thy peace may bless my dying day.” (TLH 598) Amen.

Let us now sing in glad adoration and faithful confidence the hymn “All Men Living Are But Mortal”  by Johann G. Albinus, 1624-1679 and translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878 in TLH 601.

1. All men Iiving are but mortal,
Yea, all flesh must fade as grass;
Only through death’s gloomy portal
To eternal Iife we pass.
This frail body here must perish
Ere the heavenly joys it cherish,
Ere it gain the free reward
For the ransomed of the Lord.

2. Therefore, when my God doth choose it,
Willingly I’ll yield my Iife
Nor will grieve that I should lose it,
For with sorrows it was rife.
In my dear Redeemer’s merit
Peace hath found my troubled spirit,
And in death my comfort this:
Jesus’ death my source of bliss.

3. Jesus for my sake desended
My salvation to obtain:
Death and hell for me are ended,
Peace and hope are now my gain;
Yea’ with joy I leave earth’s sadness
For the home of heavenly gladness,
Where I shall forever see
God, the Holy Trinity.

4. There is joy beyond our telling,
Where so many saints have gone;
Thousands, thousands, there are dwelling,
Worshiping before the throne,
There the Seraphim are shining,
Evermore in chorus joining:
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord!
Triune God, for aye adored!”

5. Patriarchs of sacred story
And the prophets there are found;
The apostles, too, in glory
On twelve seats are there enthroned
All the saints that have ascended
Age on age, through time extended,
There in blissful concert sing
Hallelujahs to their King.

6. O Jerusalem, how glorious
Dost thou shine, thou city fair!
Lo, I hear the tones victorious
Ever sweetly sounding there.
Oh, the bliss that there surprises!
Lo, the sun of morn now rises,
And the breaking day I see
That shall never end for me.

7. Yea, I see what here was told me,
See that wondrous glory shine,
Feel the spotless robes enfold me,
Know a golden crown is mine.
Thus before the throne so glorious
Now I stand a soul victorious,
Gazing on that joy for aye
That shall never pass away.

Hymn #601 The Lutheran Hymnal on Text: Is. 40:6
Author: Johann G. Albinus, 1652
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Titled: “Alle Menschen muessen sterben”

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Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 19th December 2014

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

Joseph&angelThe Lord promised: “For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34) and the Angel proclaimed to Joseph: “And Mary will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthews 1:21)

That’s the big difference of our Lord and God has made in human history – not counting their sins against them and us, but rather forgiving the iniquities and remembering them no more. And there is a lot to forgive and lot’s to forget even as we look back on last week, last year and those things in our life, which just don’t go away like the mist in the morning or the dark of night at dawn and at the approach of the radiant son. Things we broke, corrupted or just left undone. Bad words said and good words swallowed. Evil devised and good ignored. How many opportunities wasted and how much that should rather just be left behind – if we but could!

Well, the Lord does just that. He does not deal with Israel and the gentile nations by counting up their faults, wrong doings and sins, but rather forgives them through Jesus Christ born of the virgin Mary and named by Joseph – Jesus – for he saves his people from sins. This promise created hope, trust and faith in the prophet Jeremiah and the little remnant spared in the doom that struck Israel in retribution for all their disbelief, idolatry and faithless ways. God’s gospel promise kept that flickering flame of faithful confession going even in exile and literally down in the pit and bogs.

Jesus did this forgiving business when he started off his saving ministry amongst God’s people, forgiving people and bringing them back into a new and favourable relationship with their God and heavenly Father by seeking them in their sinful existence and restoring them by his mighty and authoritative absolution and thus bringing about peace and goodwill amongst men. Glory to God in the highest!

Even today Jesus Christ, the true son of God and brother of all mankind has not given up on this his saving and forgiving mission. He sent out his apostles and those, he would properly call and ordain into the pastoral office of his holy Church with the divine mandate and in his own institution: “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:21-23)

That’s the wonderful institution of the office of the keys, that “special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.” (Martin Luther in the Small Catechism on “Confession: What is the Office of the Keys?” LSB 326) 

And so “I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation and absolve those, who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.” (ebd) Thanks be to God for Jesus – Amen.

1 Jesus sinners does receive;
Oh, may all this saying ponder
Who in sin’s delusions live
And from God and heaven wander.
Here is hope for all who grieve
Jesus sinners does receive.

2 We deserve but grief and shame,
Yet his words, rich grace revealing,
Pardon, peace, and life proclaim;
Here their ills have perfect healing
Who with humble hearts believe
Jesus sinners does receive.

3 Sheep that from the fold did stray
Are not by the Lord forsaken;
Weary souls who lost their way
Are by Christ, the shepherd, taken
In his arms that they may live
Jesus sinners does receive.

4 Come, O sinners, one and all,
Come, accept his invitation.
Come, obey his gracious call;
Come and take his free salvation!
Firmly in these words believe
Jesus sinners does receive.

5 I, a sinner, come to you
With a penitent confession.
Savior, show me mercy, too;
Grant for all my sins remission.
Let these words my soul relieve
Jesus sinners does receive.

6 Oh, how blest is it to know,
Were as scarlet my transgression,
It shall be as white as snow
By your blood and bitter passion,
For these words I do believe
Jesus sinners does receive.

7 Jesus sinners does receive.
Even I have been forgiven.
And when I this earth must leave,
I shall find an open heaven.
Dying, still to him I cleave
Jesus sinners does receive.

Erdmann Neumeister, 1671-1756 tr Lutheran Hymnal 1941

Melody: Meinen Jesus lass’ ich nicht…

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Christmas greetings from LTS

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

nativity - paradise regainedThe Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane (Pretoria, South Africa) thanks all its friends and supporters of the past year and wishes them all a very blessed Christmas + prosperous new year 2015: 2014 Christmas

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Lutheran order of the divine service in isiZulu and seTswana.

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

Magnificat_Full_Logo-tag150The Lutheran Order of Service for the 4th Sunday in Advent is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the holy Gospel of St. Luke chapter 1 verses (39-45) 46-55 (56) written by Pastor Kurt-Guenther Tiedemann (Tarmstedt, Germany) in isiZulu (wz1404131222 Adv 4) and translated as usual into seTswana (wt1404131222 Edf 4) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this 4th Sunday in Advent are:

  • Old Testament: Isaiah 52,7-10
  • The Epistle: Philippians 4,4-7
  • The Gospel: St. Luke 1: (39-45) 46-55 (56)
  • Psalm: 102:14.16.20-21

The liturgical colour is purple.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this 4th Sunday in Advent: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! The Lord is at hand. (Phil.4:4-5)

O God, who dost gladden us with the early anticipation of our redemption, grant that we who now joyfully receive Thine only-begotten Son as our Redeemer may also behold Him without fear when He cometh as our Judge; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, insight and wisdom, mercy, compassion, knowledge and clarity of both thought and speech – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen for God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.

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Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 18th December 2014

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0367It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. (Psalm 127, 2) and cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5,7)

Our good Lord, the triune God, cares for us like a good shepherd for his sheep and far better even than that. He grants food to the birds under the sky and the fish in the oceans, but even more he watches over us human beings that not even one hair falls from our head unwarranted nor does he overlook one tear drop either. He keeps us close, safe and well taken care of in good and bad times. All of this he does without any worthiness or merit on our side, but only out of pure fatherly goodness and divine mercy. Not just once off, but continuously from when we are conceived until the day that we die and are put to rest in his sowing field – the cemetery – to rise again on the Last Day to face his final judgement then.

We however with our early rising, can’t change much in our destiny or life’s success. Obviously we can get work done and most times we just have to do just that. There are letters to be written, monies to be paid, plans to be made and issues to be thought through thoroughly and appropriately. We just have to get that off our table. Yet – and that is the point here – success as in good results, victory and glory are not in our hands. We’re just doing our thing and our thing is to be faithful, to take care of those things that have been entrusted to us by our various callings, but flourishing, thriving, prosperity and wellbeing are not in our hand. We’re not the masters of our destiny never mind the universe. Its what our Lord means, when he says, why do you boast about this or that as if you have earned and merited it – its a gift from your creator and sustainer God. Therefore boast that you know the Lord and are under his protection and care, carried by his grace and goodness. He hands out gifts and presents as he wills and we are but at the receiving end having to answer him, how faithfully and diligently we have dealt with our lot – one, two or ten bags full. Those who have received much, will have much to answer for and those with little, will have to beware that they don’t hide and bury theirs, because they in their ingratitude and envy thought it wasn’t worthwhile in the first place.

Getting up early helps to miss most peak traffic. That’s true. However it doesn’t mean that you’ll actually arrive on time or get your work done just right either. You can have a blow-out on the way or land up in a traffic jam. The lights can be out at your workplace and you can launch your word processor. We’re not in control of these things. Yet that does not mean that you should just sleep in and forget about your task to be done. That’s not the intention of this admonition. Rather we should know that God is the one, who grants willingness, ability and success according to his boundless mercy and goodness. We with our worries, cares and anxieties don’t change things for the better. We can’t even add one single day to our life. It’s all God’s free gift and unmerited grace from his side +

Sometimes we also have to sit up and get our work done that is still undone. We are under compulsion and we just have to do it. Yet it is not our sorrows and worries and anxieties, which get things changed. That’s God’s prerogative and privilege. Therefore leave it to him. Commit everything to him in prayer and do your work faithfully – as Luther says with regards to the old Benedictine order: Ora et labora – Pray as if work doesn’t work and work as if all praying isn’t heard.

Old Arthur Engelbrecht said so at our wedding – you can buy a wonderful and comfortable bed, but you can’t overcome your insomnia. You can cook the most delicious menu, but you can’t prevent indigestion or other diseases. You can build a great and impressive house, but you can’t keep illness, unhappiness and even death out of it. You can achieve lots in life – do your job, pass all exams, score high points in this and that – but you can’t create happiness, joy and gratitude. It’s a gift + and the Lord lets it rain over good and bad. God sometimes let’s you thrive and sometimes he lets you fade – but all is to serve you best and your final salvation in blessed eternity too. Life’s too short to pack everything in it – even if so many, who have given up on eternity, feel they can still manage their bucket lists without burnout or heart attack. Yet that’s not the point of life. That’s just vain pursuits of hedonists and faithless worriers – anxious that they might just miss out on this or that. Well, our Lord says, take care that you don’t miss your eternal destination, because of your worldly anxieties. Remember the rich man? Jesus asked him something like: You fool – who is going to inherit your riches, when you pass away tonight, when they come to fetch your soul?

It’s no use sitting up for long nights on end trying to find a solution to these God given and divinely imposed handicaps, boundaries and limitations to our life. We’re not gods. We’re but human – and we ought to accept that gratefully. Even that we are going to die – perhaps even today, surely not too far off, because time is fleeting and we are rushing ahead as if flying even diving towards our final destination in the graveyard. I really do prefer the german “Friedhof“or more still “Gottes Acker” – God’s acre/Seedbed/Seminarium!

This admonition does not only hold true for our own given lives, but also for that of others, our families and friends, the live of our people and nations – even the christian congregation and Church. It’s God’s and we’re called by his grace and mercy to live in these structures and institutions according to his good will and merciful care – God fearing, faithful and true with lots of love and mercy for our neighbour, who’s in the very same boat as us – traversing this life’s hazards as best as possible and hopeful to attain the other end in God’s favour, grace and peace.

So let’s recognise our position in life and try to fill it as best as we can, living according to God’s commandments and rules in the calling (Beruf!) we’re in – thankful to him and praising him for all his goodness and undeserved mercy daily. He takes care of us better than any father for he is God and does everything very well! Forgiving our sins, many failings and shortcomings, healing all ills and hurts and granting us peace and eternal salvation by his grace and goodness. Amen.

Let us sing and pray with Salomo Franck’s “O God, Forsake Me Not”:

O God, forsake me not!
Your gracious presence lend me;
Oh, lead your helpless child;
Your Holy Spirit send me
That I my course may run.
Be you my light, my lot,
My staff, my rock, my shield.
O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not!
Take not your Spirit from me;
Do not allow the night
Of sin to overcome me.
Increase my feeble faith,
Which you yourself have wrought.
Be you my strength and power.
O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not!
Lord, hear my supplication!
In every evil hour
Help me resist temptation;
And when the prince of hell
My conscience seeks to blot,
Be then not far from me.
O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not!
My heart your grace addressing,
O Father, God of love,
Grant me your heavenly blessing
To do when duty calls
Whatever you allot,
To do what pleased you.
O God, forsake me not!

O God, forsake me not!
Lord, I am your forever.
The true faith grant to me;
Grant that I leave you never.
Grant me a blessed end
When my good fight is fought;
Help me in life and death.
O God, forsake me not!

Notes:
Hymn # 372 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Ahasverus Fritsch
Tune: Was Frag Ich Nach Der Welt
1st Published in: 1724

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 17th December 2014

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

Valentin_de_Boulogne_Saint_PaulThe Psalmist declares: “I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.” (Psalm 40:10) and St. Paul writes to St.Timothy: “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2.Timothy 1:8) 

One of the great pastoral privileges is that we are under obligation to declare God’s faithfulness and salvation, his lovingkindness and truth in the congregation and beyond.If we don’t do it voluntarily, we still have to do it because of our calling and the mandate of this high office into which we have been ordained.

The Psalmist declares that he has not hidden God’s righteousness within his heart. Rather he has preached, taught and confessed this openly in the Church and beyond. This righteousness of God is firstly that God himself is righteous. There is no injustice, falsehood or malice on his part. He is perfect, good and salutary. All his words are just, his dealings are correct and true. There is nothing we can hold against him. After all, he is God and Lord alone in the highest. Secondly however and that is perhaps the even greater and more wonderful aspect of this is that God as creator, saviour and sanctifier grants, gives and makes righteous all those he deals with in his fatherly goodness and mercy.

Even a sinful Peter, who recognises Jesus for who and what he is after the wonderful fishing episode and therefore realises that he himself is so different and even opposite in his own setup and unfaithful & distrustful being and therefore by law excluded from his holy presence, is not cast away from Jesus sight, is not disqualified or punished, but rather forgiven, justified, declared righteous in the sight of God and hence allowed to stand up in peace and fearlessness by the grace and goodness of his Lord alone.

The same holds true for Saul, who actually persecutes God’s people, delights in their gruesome  execution and tries to discredit and put down the crucified Christ at every opportunity being under the impression that he’s serving the living God with this crazy doing. This very persecutor of the Christian Church – this enemy of Christ – comes face to face with the risen Lord. Jesus Christ appears to him on the way to Damascus and reveals his true nature and the godly righteousness to this great sinner. Thus Saul is converted into Paul by the Lord’s doing. The persecutor becomes the greatest missionary of all times. He’s the emissary of the Lord before Kings and princes – starting off in Jerusalem and landing up finally in Rome before Cesar. Always proclaiming the righteousness of God to all people. For he is not ashamed of this gospel of Jesus Christ, rather he is convinced that it is the power to save everybody, who believes in it – for by it the righteousness of God is revealed. The righteousness, which overcomes all our unrighteousness – be it of the Jewish or Greek kind. For God saves sinners by forgiveness, by being gracious and merciful to us and not dealing with us as we deserve it, but rather according to his great faithfulness. That’s his wonderful salvation, with which he works forgiveness, life and eternal salvation for all, who believe – Jews first, but also the gentiles like us. This is God’s lovingkindess and the very truth for all mankind.

St. Paul proclaims that and many are converted from the vain and idle ways of the forebears – like St. Timothy, who is instructed in the wholesome truth from a tender age by his mother and grandmother. When St. Paul is thrown into prison this becomes a hard test for their faith. How can God’s own missionary, the apostle of Jesus Christ, the emissary of the highest Lord and king land up in such dire straits? Well, you might just ask, how does the God of gods land up in Bethlehem in a manger or in exile in Egypt or without a place to put down his head worse off than a fox or bird of the sky and finally up on the cross at Golgotha? It’s all God’s will and way – so much higher and more profound than our thoughts and ideas for sure. Yet it is true, faithful and full of lovingkindness no doubt. He does everything very well, perfect and absolutely best for all of us. St. Paul believes this. He trust this and does not falter because of the tribulation, suffering and hardship  he has to endure in his life as apostle. He admonishes and encourages St.Timothy to not loose faith either. He’s to look up and hope for the coming salvation and the coming Lord himself. In the meantime he is not to be ashamed of the wonderful and hidden ways of the Lord. Not disdain the cross, but uplift it high – for Jews may find it an abomination and the Greeks foolishness, yet we, who are saved, trust that it is only way to salvation. Therefore St.Timothy is not to despair, but rather trust wholeheartedly and joyfully, that the Lord does everything to the best of his people – even discrimination, persecution, incarceration and eventually martyrdom. Amen.

Let us pray with words of Psalm 28:

To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

3 Do not take me away with the wicked
And with the workers of iniquity,
Who speak peace to their neighbors,
But evil is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds,
And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;
Give them according to the work of their hands;
Render to them what they deserve.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord,
Nor the operation of His hands,
He shall destroy them
And not build them up.

6 Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.

8 The Lord is their strength,[a]
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
9 Save Your people,
And bless Your inheritance;
Shepherd them also,
And bear them up forever.

And sing with the words of “Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart” by Martin Schalling, 1532-1608 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878:

1. Lord, Thee I love with all my heart;
I pray Thee ne’er from me depart,
With tender mercies cheer me.
Earth has no pleasure I would share,
Yea, heaven itself were void and bare
If Thou, Lord, wert not near me.
And should my heart for sorrow break,
My trust in Thee no one could shake.
Thou art the Portion I have sought;
Thy precious blood my soul has bought.
Lord Jesus Christ,
My God and Lord, my God and Lord,
Forsake me not! I trust Thy Word.

2. Yea, Lord, ’twas Thy rich bounty gave
My body, soul, and all I have
In this poor life of labor.
Lord, grant that I in every place
May glorify Thy lavish grace
And serve and help my neighbor.
Let no false doctrine me beguile
And Satan not my soul defile.
Give strength and patience unto me
To bear my cross and follow Thee.
Lord Jesus Christ,
My God and Lord, my God and Lord,
In death Thy comfort still afford.

3. Lord, let at last Thine angels come,
To Abram’s bosom bear me home,
That I may die unfearing;
And in its narrow chamber keep
My body safe in peaceful sleep
Until Thy reappearing.
And then from death awaken me
That these mine eyes with joy may see,
O Son of God, Thy glorious face,
My Savior and my Fount of grace,
Lord Jesus Christ,
My prayer attend, my prayer attend,
And I will praise Thee without end.

Hymn #429 from The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 18
Author: Martin Schalling, c. 1567
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Titled: “Herzlich lieb hab’ ich dich, o Herr”
Tune: “Herzlich lieb hab’ ich dir, o Herr”
1st Published in: Berhnard Schmid’s Orgelbuch
Town: Strassburg, 1577

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 16th December 2014

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

david-goliath“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves.” (1. Samuel 17:47) and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (2.Timothy 2:19)

David facing up to Goliath – now that was an epic battle. The odds were stacked highly in favour of that giant – apparently. I’d guess, that shepherd David should run for it while he still could. That blaspheming mercenary would carry the day and have the rest cower in fear. Israels enemies obviously had the upper hand and they were condemned to servility and eating humble pie. At least that’s what it looked like for outsiders, for people without insight into God’s plans and who didn’t account for his wondrous and miraculous dealings.

At the end of the day everything had changed. God had intervened. He had defeated Goliath by using that little shepherd expertly handling that slingshot. One stone and that giant came tumbling down – felled like a tree with just one stroke. For God does not need our sword or spears to accomplish his miracles and wonders. On the contrary, he often puts us down and out – so that we with all our merits and qualifications and certificates sit on the wayside and besides all the action – just to prove, that he’s in control and leads all things most perfectly. So don’t trust in kings nor princes, not in horses or chariots, not in drones or MIGs, gadgets or apps, not in your own abilities and strengths, nor in other power and might, but rather put all your hope in the Lord, the living God. He does, what he does for us and our salvation without fail.

That does not only hold true for our own personal lives, but also for that of God’s people as a whole – his holy Christian Church. Look how he helped through that shepherd David – through that prophet Elijah – through that little virgin Mary – and his own Son Jesus Christ, who was but a carpenter’s son, not going through the venerable schools of the day, not sitting at the feet of learned nor learning to wield the sword and the spear like the strong and powerful soldiers and fighters of the day and not even growing up under the tutelage of mighty politicians, the wheelers and dealers of the day. It’s our Lord’s speciality to help, save and deliver through insignificant and minor things and people. He changes water into the best wine. Feeds 5, 000 with just a few pieces of bread and fish. Heals blind with spit and mud. Calls the dead to life with his plain voice and works salvation by hanging lifeless on the cross. He brings everlasting life through suffering and death. He works through the very opposite. He really is the almighty God indeed.

This wonderful way of our Lord and God should keep us on the straight and narrow way of his most holy will and good commandments. We don’t need to go crooked ways to reach our perceived goal in life. It doesn’t pay do leave God’s holy ways and try to grab what we deem is ours by all sorts of sly wheelings and dealings. That’s what King Saul did – and he lost it all. David on the other side let one opportunity after the other go by to lay hands on his king and to grab the crown for himself, but he never did that. He knew, God had his own time and his own way of doing this. Although Saul himself tried to kill David more than once using every trick of the trade, David escaped with the help of God and never fell into the traps set by his assailant. Even when David was King he did not hold on to this royal privilege and power like something that was his, but rather fled Jerusalem giving up all and everything to his rebellious son Absalom. He didn’t even have cursing Shimei punished, but rather let him be: “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” (2.Samuel 16,11f) So in all this David did not sin, but rather accepted God’s strange guidance and even hidden ways, trusting in him alone and putting all his hope in God’s never failing deliverance and salvation, committing his life and all into God’s omnipotent hands and omniscient care. 

The crafty Jesuits supposedly use the Machiavellian maxim that the goal justifies the means. Yet this is not so. We people – and that holds true for leaders in the church – don’t know enough to always pick the right way. We err and falter. We are sinful and deluded in our ways. We’re not perfect by a long shot. That’s why we make mistakes. We pick the wrong course and go down a route that proves misleading in hindsight. Even if we want to do the right and best thing, we are often blind and work exactly the opposite. That’s why we should humble ourselves, be ready to repent, gladly let go of all wickedness and follow God’s lead all the days of our lives,  following his calling to lead holy and blessed lives under his guidance and care. His will is the best and he surely will lead all and everything to its predestined goal and perfect completion. Praise his holy name – now and always. Amen.

Who Trusts in God a Strong Abode
By: Joachim Magdeburg

Who trusts in God a strong abode
In heaven and earth possesses;
Who looks in love to Christ above,
No fear that heart oppresses.
In you alone, dear Lord, we own
Sweet hope and consolation,
Our shield from foes, our balm for woes,
Our great and sure salvation.

Though Satan’s wrath beset our path
And worldly scorn assail us,
While you are near, we shall not fear;
Your strength will never fail us.
Your rod and staff will keep us safe
And guide our steps forever;
Nor shades of death nor hell beneath,
Our lives from you will sever.

In all the strife of mortal life
Our feet will stand securely;
Temptation’s hour will lose it power,
For you will guard us surely.
Our God, renew with heavenly dew
Our body, soul, and spirit
Until we stand at your right hand
Through Jesus’ saving merit.

Hymn # 414 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Claudin de Sermisy
Tune: Was Mein Gott Will
1st Published in: 1572

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With friends in the Magaliesberg

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 15th December 2014

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Wilhelm Weber

St.-AthanasiusThose who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3) Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. (Hebrews 13:7) 

In various cultures you have different priorities. Wisdom is held high amongst most of them. Even if traditionally wisdom was held in higher esteem in Athens than in Sparta, who prioritised actual war craft over and above the philosophical rhetorics of its sophisticated neighbour. Old president Mbeki for all his Shakespeare was ousted by the political tactics of the boss of South African Intelligence – our present president from Zululand, who is better known for his capacity to put through his will than for his wise leadership and insight.

In the Old Testament one of the three main sections is the one called “Writings” (Ketubim) besides the “Law/History” and “Prophets”. In these writings the wisdom literature takes up a wide part of it. Proverbs and Lamentations are part of this genre – and king Salomon is the epitome of the wise ruler in Israel (1.Kings 5:11). His wisdom was legendary throughout the Middle East and the Queen of Sheba sang his praises with no small admiration. It takes one to recognise the other. Yet the Bible does not hold back on this either. It lauds those countries and nations, who are led by wise leaders and pities those, that are led by children or fools.

The beginning of all wisdom is the fear of God (Psalm 111:10) and therefore it holds true: “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16) Yet, those who deem to be wise in their own ways and neglect the truth of the Lord are just fools. Even children can be wiser than those, who ignore God’s laws, rulings and institutions. In all human wisdom you are lost if you don’t know and follow the living God and source of all knowledge and truth. Part of this respect for God’s truth and wisdom is to regard your teachers highly too – those that have taught and instructed you. It’s a sign of ignorance and foolishness if people disregard, bad mouth and even just forget their teachers. 

Daniel here sings the praises of those, who teach godly wisdom and divine truth. Those, who instruct others in God’s ways and teachings are like bright shining stars on the firmament. This holds true even in our time. Just think how high we esteem the wise prophet Moses, St. John and St. Paul, St. Athanasius and St. Augustine, Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon, Martin Chemnitz and Johann Gerhard, C.F.W. Walther, Wilhelm Loehe, Louis Harms, fearless teachers like Bonhoeffer, Sasse and Hopf. Even during the calamity of the sacking of Rome by the barbarians, the overrunning of ancient civilisation by the germanic tribes from the north Boethius is consoled by the love for wisdom – the consolation of philosophy – which found a sanctuary in the monasteries of old, these harbours of wisdom, truth and insight, these schools of countless pastors, missionaries, bishops and teachers of the Christian Church – not only in the Egyptian desert, but also in places like Syria, Greece, Italy, Gaul – right up to Ireland. 

In the letter to the Hebrews we are encouraged to remember those, who taught us the wisdom and truth of the Lord, who led us in all righteousness and godly ways, who preached the faith into our hearts. For me the list of these good teachers is endless. Not even counting those, whose books formed my thought, the list of those, who physically spoke to me about the Christian doctrine, faith and teaching, who preached on many a pulpit under which I was sitting and instructed me in this and that classroom is long. Pastor Willy Reusch, who came to Enhlanhleni to preach and instruct us living there on the borders of old Zululand or Pastor Ernst-August Albers, who confirmed and later ordained me or Tante Kaethe Niebuhr, who instructed me in the Lutheran Catechism and Hymnal in my early school days in Uelzen. They died later in good old age – preaching, teaching and leading many to faith even in their last weeks in this life. It’s their faith that I still share today, being nurtured and sustained by those teachings received long, long ago. Grateful for my good old teachers and thankful that God kept them faithful in their calling as his messengers and witnesses for the benefit of many.

Lord heavenly Father: I thank you for your precious truth and wisdom, which you have revealed to us through your apostles and prophets of old. Thank you for teachers of the Church throughout the Ages, who have shared the light of your good word with countless learners across the globe. They are more than the stars in the sky and the sand on the coastline. They shine brightly and comfortingly to us here in darkness and shadow of death – reflecting your saving light and wholesome brightness in the gospel of truth and salvation. Grant that your wisdom will lead and guide us even today to live in your light and truth and stay on your godly way as we struggle against our own sloth and laziness, are tempted by the foolish vanities of this world and misled by evil sinfulness too. Grant your Church and all of Christendom wise and faithful leaders and teachers and preachers, who will share the wholesome truth and insight of your most precious law and saving gospel – and let us support and promote this sharing of the truth and your true wisdom in our time and space. Lord – in your mercy – hear our prayer + Amen.

“Come, Thou Bright and Morning Star”
by Christian K. von Rosenroth, 1636-1689
Translated by Richard Massie, 1800-1887

1. Come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,
Light of light, without beginning!
Shine upon us from afar
That we may be kept from sinning.
Drive away by Thy clear light
Our dark night.

2. Let Thy grace, like morning dew
Falling soft on barren places,
Comfort, quicken, and renew
Our dry souls and dying graces;
Bless Thy flock from Thy rich store
Evermore.

3. May Thy fervent love destroy
Our cold works, in us awaking
Ardent zeal and holy joy
At the purple morn’s first breaking.
Let us truly rise ere yet
Life has set.

4. Ah! thou Dayspring from on high,
Grant that at Thy next appearing
We who in the graves do lie
May arise, Thy summons hearing,
And rejoice in our new life,
Far from strife.

5. Light us to those heavenly spheres,
Sun of grace, in glory shrouded;
Lead us through this vale of tears
To the land where days unclouded,
Purest joy, and perfect peace
Never cease.

Hymn #539
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Ps. 88: 13
Author: Christian K. von Rosenroth, 1684, cento
Translated by: Richard Massie, 1857
Titled: “Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit”
Tune: “Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit”
1st Published in: Geistreiches Gesangbuch
Town: Halle, 1704

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