The Large Catechism – part 44
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 8:26–27
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Large Catechism, The Ten Commandments
The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods before me.
Besides, consider what we were blindly doing under the papacy. If anyone had a toothache, he fasted and honored St. Apollonia, If he feared fire, he chose St. Lawrence as his patron. If he dreaded pestilence, he made a vow to St. Sebastian or Rochio. There are a countless number of such abominations, where everyone selected his own saint, worshiped him, and called for help to him in distress. This is the same class of idolatry as those who make a pact with the devil, so that he might give them plenty of money or help them in love affairs, preserve their cattle, restore lost possessions, etc., as magicians and sorcerers do. They place their heart and trust elsewhere than in the true God, neither expecting nor seeking anything good from him.
Pulling It Together: Where does your help come from; from whom should you expect any assistance? To place your hope and trust in anyone but God is idolatry. A modern version of this kind of fanatical worship has arisen in our times. We see people beseeching their false gods of government, expecting politicians to provide for them all they need.
But God already knows our needs, even when we do not know them ourselves, or even how to ask of him. His own Spirit mediates for us. Best of all, the Holy Spirit intervenes on our behalf according to God’s will, so that we may trust in him for all good and every needful thing.
Prayer: Help me trust in you, good Lord, for all good things. Amen.
Click here for resources to learn the Ten Commandments.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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