Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. – Psalm 5:12

Today's Scripture Reading (July 30, 2025): Psalm 4 & 5

Frederick the Wise (1463-1525) was the prince-elector of Saxony from August 26, 1486, until his death on May 5, 1525. Prince-electors were responsible for selecting the Holy Roman Emperor in the Holy Roman Empire. However, Frederick might be best known as the protector of Martin Luther during Luther's struggle against some specific teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Frederick protected Luther against both the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope. What is sometimes forgotten is that Frederick didn't protect Martin Luther on religious grounds or because he agreed with Luther's teachings. Frederick the Wise defended Luther because the Elector believed Luther deserved a fair trial, just as any other citizen would. 

A story arises from a time when Martin Luther was being transferred to Augsburg, Germany, for trial. There, Cardinal Cajetan, the official representative of Pope Leo X, was ready to examine the reformer. On the way to this trial in October 1518, one of the Cardinal's underlings had taunted Luther by saying, "Where will you find shelter if your patron, the Elector of Saxony (Frederick), should desert you?" Luther paused for a moment before he replied, "Under the shelter of heaven."

Luther believed that even if all human support were removed from him, God would still defend him. Some of his detractors might have retorted, "But what if you are wrong?" Specifically, on the agenda was the idea of raising money through the practice of "Indulgences." Indulgences allowed the church to sell out the faith, promising to have a loved one promoted from purgatory to Heaven if enough money was given to the church. You might not be rich enough to get your loved one out of purgatory, but maybe you could shorten the time spent there, or you could get them out with the help of some friends and relatives.

It was a practice that irked Martin Luther. However, the problem was that the practice was deeply ingrained in the Roman Catholic Church, and the Pope took half of the money raised through these indulgences.

Luther wasn't bothered by the thought that God might disagree with what he taught. I don't think he was entirely right in everything he believed, although I agree with him on the issue of indulgences. But Luther understood that God would stand up for His people. And this shield protects us, and even if we die, because God blesses us, we will never be defeated.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Psalm 6