March 3

Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house and the place where Thine honor dwelleth. Psalms 26:8.

Luther says in his Large Catechism: "Whatever be the hour when God's Word is taught, preached, heard, read, or meditated upon, person, day, and work are then sanctified thereby, not because of the external work, but because of the Word, which makes saints of us all. . . . God will punish all who despise His Word and are not willing to hear and learn it, especially at the time appointed for the purpose." Here Luther says that it is the duty of every Christian to hear and learn the Word of God at the time appointed for that purpose. We should observe Sunday as a day of worship by using the Word of God. We should not let our work keep us from hearing the Word of God. When we are to hear God's Word, we must quit our work.

All Christians should of their own free will quit their work on Sunday, at the time appointed for public worship. There are unbelievers who do not work all week, but Sundays they must work. Why? To show their unbelief. Christians quit their work on Sundays. Why? Not because God has prohibited every work on that day, — for He has not, — but in order that they may have time and opportunity to hear the Word of God in the house of worship. For the main thing is the preaching of the Word of God. To those, therefore, who work on Sundays from habit or anxious concern about their daily bread we say: Rest and go to church; seek first the kingdom of God, and all other things shall be added unto you.

When there is no real necessity, quit your work and go to church. At the time appointed for the public service, Jesus calls: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear"; and again: "He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me." To all mankind it is said: "O earth, earth, earth, hear the Word of the Lord!"

Prayer.

Lord God, we pray Thee that Thou wouldest not withdraw from us Thy pure Word and the free preaching thereof; nor wrathfully remember the sin desecrating the day on which Thy Word is preached; but rather, we pray Thee, blot out our sins according to Thy great mercy, for the sake of the bitter suffering and death of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ. And we commend ourselves to Thy divine protection and fatherly blessing, for this and all our remaining days in this vale of tears. Preserve unto us Thy saving Word to our last breath, through Christ, our Mediator. Amen.

Grant honor, truth, propriety, And love Thy Word to ponder; False doctrines, Lord, keep far from me And grant both here and yonder. What serves my everlasting bliss; Preserve me from unrighteousness In all my life and doings.