Luther's Words

God often plays with us as a father plays with his infant from whom he takes what he has given in order to test the attitudes of the child and to stimulate its desire.  For he gave it in order to produce confidence in him; he takes it away in order to test this confidence.  If the little child gladly gives the gift back, it creates a greater affection for itself in the father by such trust.   But if it does not want to surrender it and cries, it arouses the indignation of the father and deserves the rod.  So God acts with all the visible blessings of this life, even with the very life He has given us.  He gave all in order to teach us to trust in Him; but He also takes everything back, at least in death, on order to test this trust. 


(WLS #4474)