http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/l/l/olldfhvn.htm
O Lord, look down from Heaven, behold
And let Thy pity waken:
How few are we within Thy fold,
Thy saints by men forsaken!
True faith seems quenched on every hand,
Men suffer not Thy Word to stand;
Dark times have us o’ertaken.
With fraud which they themselves invent
Thy truth they have confounded;
Their hearts are not with one consent
On Thy pure doctrine grounded.
While they parade with outward show,
They lead the people to and fro,
In error’s maze astounded.
May God root out all heresy
And of false teachers rid us
Who proudly say: “Now, where is he
That shall our speech forbid us?
By right or might we shall prevail;
What we determine cannot fail;
We own no lord and master.”
Therefore saith God, “I must arise,
The poor My help are needing;
To Me ascend My people’s cries,
And I have heard their pleading.
For them My saving Word shall fight
And fearlessly and sharply smite,
The poor with might defending.”
As silver tried by fire is pure
From all adulteration,
So through God’s Word shall men endure
Each trial and temptation.
Its light beams brighter through the cross,
And, purified from human dross,
It shines through every nation.
Thy truth defend, O God, and stay
This evil generation;
And from the error of their way
Keep Thine own congregation.
The wicked everywhere abound
And would Thy little flock confound;
But Thou art our Salvation.
—Martin Luther, 1524
Daily Light on the Daily Path
July 20
Morning
“They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.—“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
It was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners.—That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.
“Jesus of Nazareth . . . went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”—So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.—“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
John 17:16; Isa. 53:3; John 16:33; Heb. 7:26; Phil. 2:15; Acts 10:38; Gal. 6:10; John 1:9; Matt. 5:14, 16
OH LORD, this day enable us to stand, and after having done all, to stand.
Help us to obey you with confident joy.
May we rejoice your heart.
We praise your Holy Name.
You alone are exalted, God and King of heaven and earth.
Thank you for the LAMB.
BTTT