Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: 2nd Kings 18:13-19:37 Acts 21:1-17 Proverbs 18:8

“Twofold Joy”

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
[Romans 12:12]

Careful about rejoicing about things of the present, or things you have experienced and know. For joy is twofold. The first kind has to do with things that are visible, that is, things that are known in some way or other either inwardly or outwardly. This kind can be vain, because it is transitory. The other kind has to do with invisible things, that is, things that are unknown but simply accepted in faith; and this is true joy, eternal, firm, and without this kind of hope there is no joy in the other. For who can only rejoice in the former, is he despairs or doubts that he will receive future joy? And thus the Apostle wants Christians to rejoice to the full, but not because of any earthly thing, but because of their hope in their Lord Jesus, the Christ.