The Day of Trouble

Our Lord tells us to call upon Him in the day of trouble (Psalm 50:15). Does that mean only on certain days of the week, on particularly difficult days? Hardly! As Luther so aptly says in the Large Catechism about our daily situation: “You will also have the devil about you…He is a liar, to lead the heart astray from God’s Word and to blind it, so that you cannot feel your distress or come to Christ. He is a murderer, who cannot bear to see you live one single hour. If you could see how many knives, darts, and arrows are every moment aimed at you [Ephesians 6:16], you would be glad to come to the Sacrament as often as possible. But there is no reason why we walk about so securely and carelessly, except that we neither think nor believe that we are in the flesh and in this wicked world or in the devil’s kingdom” (Large Catechism, Lord’s Supper, lines 80-82). If we really believe our situation is so dire, we will seek regular protection from Satan by our faithful use of His Word and the Lord’s Supper, and similarly seek our Lord’s help and protection in prayer continually. Every day is the day of trouble!

Prayer is something a Christian just cannot live without. God commands us to pray and promises to answer. We desperately need to pray because we need God’s help and protection against Satan. And we need to pray because God tells us, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Prayer: O Lord, our saving light and our shelter in the day of trouble, turn us not away in anger because of our sins. Calm our hearts, strengthen our faith, and lead us in Your straight paths until we see Your surpassing goodness in heaven with all those who live in Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.