Plague- Pasche's Daily Bread devotion (Part 2)

My mother's copy - Pasche's Daily Bread

F.E. Pasche, young and old

      This continues from Part 1 of a series (Table of Contents in Part 1) of Old Missouri devotions in a time of Plague or Pestilence as we are experiencing with the Coronavirus or COVID-19. — I would next highlight a popular (for Old Missouri) devotional book of Pastor F.E. Pasche (1872-1954, Find-A-Grave).  The bonus for subsequent generations is that it is in English, not German, a rare treat.  At right is pictured the embossed cover of my mother's copy of his 1926 Daily Bread; or, Home Devotions.  The book is available for viewing on Archive.org.  Regular readers may recognize the name from Pasche's other passion, a defense of the Bible against Copernicanism, works that were likely not so popular because of their controversial content.  But Pasche cared nothing for popularity, rather he wonderfully proclaimed the Gospel, he properly distinguished Law and Gospel, he gave Christian counsel and comfort for his readers.  Although I cannot recall that our family used the devotions from this book during my childhood, we did read from the LCMS' series of daily devotions Portals of Prayer after the family evening meal, followed by the Lord's Prayer.  I am sorry that Mom did not pull out this book for us to use – I don't know why… perhaps she used it privately for herself.

      Although I could not find a devotion specifically for a plague, I chose one on "illness" that speaks to our current situation.  The following is from Daily Bread, p. 289-290:

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222. God’s Gracious Will when He Afflicts Us with Illness.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matt. 10:29-30.

No disease can come to our door, no illness can touch us, without the will and permission of our heavenly Father. When we are afflicted with illness, we may find some natural cause and even blame ourselves for not taking proper care of our health; but we must know that everything is done under the ruling and guidance of Him who taught us to pray: “Thy will be done.”

It is principally our spiritual treatment which God has in view when He afflicts us with illness. His intention is that we should learn to trust in Him alone and expect help solely from Him. “Thy will be done,” — saying this, we pledge ourselves to suffer the will of God, whatever He may send us, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant. “If any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf.”

“Thy will be done,” this we must always say in our prayers, no matter how dark and dreary the prospects may seem. In the day of trouble we must think of something more than the mere earthly and temporal aspect of the trouble; we should think of God, who permitted it to touch us and who guides its course. Then amid our sufferings and afflictions we hear the voice of the Savior: “Be of good cheer, it is I.”

And how graciously does He comfort us when He afflicts us with illness! Paul suffered from a physical ailment and prayed to be relieved from it. [2 Cor. 12:7-9] Thrice he besought the Lord that it might depart from him. But what was the response? “My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” And so you may have an ailment from which you desire to be relieved, but God deems it best for you to keep it. Then do not think that He does not mean well with you. You are His dear child in spite of that ailment. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” It is His loving-kindness that leads us.

Prayer.

O God, who seest that of ourselves we have no strength, keep us both outwardly and inwardly that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul. If it is Thy will, however, that we should bear the cross, help us to bear it that we may not despair in the day of trouble. When our heart is bowed down and our soul is heavy, may Thy Word and Spirit comfort us; let the example of Thy dear Son, who suffered so willingly, induce us to bear our own cross without murmuring; and finally lead us to pleasures at Thy right hand forevermore. Amen.

There shall we bathe our weary soul 

In seas of heavenly rest 

And not a wave of trouble roll 

Across our peaceful breast.

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      I would encourage readers to explore the 318 devotions in the Table of Contents pages of Pasche's book.  Also the Morning, Evening, and table prayers are very familiar to me from my childhood.  I need to re-memorize them again! — I may refer to this book in later blog posts.  Pasche was a true Missourian pastor that wonderfully taught Lutheran Christian doctrine while presenting his devotions.  And, again, it is in English – no translation for us later generations. — In the next Part 3…