Martin Luther. A German priest, a Bible scholar, and an iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. I so admire him and the great work that he did for the Lord and for the Church during his lifetime. Although I hold Martin Luther in high regard, it is the life of his wife Katharina (who he called Katie) that fascinates me the most. Once married, she joined Luther’s calling and selflessly walked beside him through the ups and the downs. Their life together, their ministry, I can’t even begin to imagine the challenges they faced. They lived a life not only in opposition to the world, but also to the church of that day and age, and because of that, their life was difficult. For most of their marriage they lived in poverty, and of their 6 children, only four of them lived to adulthood. Martin Luther himself was plagued with great illnesses. For years he suffered physical pain, and that pain, those illnesses, is what eventually led to his death in 1546. Through it all, Katie stood as a pillar of strength, and with a thankful spirit, she once said...
“I would never have known the meaning of various psalms, come to appreciate certain difficulties, or known the inner workings of the soul; I would never have understood the practice of the Christian life and work, if God had never brought afflictions to my life.”
When I think about that quote of hers and when I read about her life, I sometimes wish that I could have known her; that I could have sat and chatted with her over a cup of hot tea (or a big glass of sweet iced tea!). And in our conversation, I would have eventually asked her, ”which of the ‘various Psalms’ are you referring to?” I would have asked because I am curious...I just want to know...which ones? Which ones did she cling to in her lifetime? When her pantry was empty? When her children died in her arms...one after another? When her husband left the house? When fear would grip her? Or when, after years of sacrificial service to the Lord and to the Church, her husband lay lifeless in their bed...sick, miserable, plagued with illness? When she was weary? When she felt too weak to go on? Which of the Psalms, that David penned so long ago to the Lord in his own anguish and despair...comforted her? Which ones did she claim as her own, gain strength from, find meaning in?
I just wonder...
Did she cry out like David did in Psalm 6 “My soul is anguish, How long, O LORD, how long?!”
In her questioning, did she lift up praises, as in Psalm 13? “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”
In midst of poverty, while she worked hard to feed her family, was her heart comforted and her mind eased by the words in Psalm 37:18-19? “The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.”
Did she meditate on the words from Psalm 30? “I will exalt you O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths...O Lord, you brought me up from the grave you spared me from going down into the pit...weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning!”
Did she memorize Psalm 71:14-21? “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not it’s measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.”
On the lonely days, after she lost her husband, did she gain peace from Psalm 21:6? “Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.”
On the lonely days, after she lost her husband, did she gain peace from Psalm 21:6? “Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.”
Did Psalm 68:5 give her comfort? “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.”
Was she able to smile? Because...“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:5
And later, when remembering God’s faithfulness, did her cries turn to songs of thanskgiving as she clung to Psalm 119:92-93? “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life!”
And as her life moved on, did the beautiful words of Psalm 18:1 remain in her heart and on her lips? “I love you O LORD, my strength!”
I wonder...I am fascinated.
She clung. We cling.
The beautiful psalms. Understood through affliction.
The perfect words of God.
Timeless treasures.
