Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: Daniel 11:1-19 1st John 2:15-27

“Have Mercy, O Lord”

Let all people sing this verse with David and acknowledge that they are sinners and that God is righteous, that is – merciful. This confession is a sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God, and David invites us to it regularly. He wants this to be a teaching for the whole world. When the devil, or our conscience, accuses us because of our sins, we can freely confess that our sins are many and they are great, but do not despair because of them. For though our sins are many and great, nevertheless we are taught here that the mercies of God are also many and greater. With this argument all the saints have defended themselves against Satan, that though they were sinners, they have become holy by this knowledge, according to Isaiah 53:11: “the knowledge of Christ will justify many.”