Protective Custody
Theme of the Week: Are Your Hopes on Hold?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
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Key Bible Verse: But the Lord was with Joseph there, too, and he granted Joseph favor with the chief jailer (Genesis 39:21). Bonus Reading: Genesis 39:6b-23
Standing trial in the city of Worms in 1517, Martin Luther fully expected to be burned at the stake—the standard punishment for opposing the established church's authority. To the Emperor's demand that he renounce the teaching in his books, he famously replied, "My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything."
Although promised safe passage back to Wittenberg, as Luther headed home, his wagon was attacked by armed men. He managed to grab his Greek New Testament and Hebrew Bible before riding off with his captors. Arriving at a remote castle, Luther discovered that he'd been kidnapped not by soldiers of the Emperor or Pope, but by his friend Frederick of Wise, elector of Saxon, for his protection!
Disguised as a knight, and away from his friends and students, Luther became lonely and restless. Then he got an idea. Why not use the time to translate the Latin Bible, which only priests could read, into German? Scripture put into the everyday language of the people would be unleashed in their hearts. Luther's translation—still the standard German Bible—rocked all Europe.
—Steve Farrar in God Built
My Response: I could put down time or disappointment to positive use by …
Thought to Apply: When the light of divine providence has once shone upon a godly man, he is set free not only from the extreme anxiety and fear that were pressing him before, but from every care. —John Calvin (French reformer)
Adapted from God Built (David C. Cook, 2008) by permission.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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When I face serious setbacks or prolonged waiting, arm me with full confidence, Lord, that you are with me.
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