Hope When God Seems Distant

We should learn to wait for God. No matter how other things turn out -- whether a persecution comes upon us instead of the presence of God which we had expected and which He had promised or whether we feel the wrath of God instead of the grace of God -- we should say: I believe. I am baptized. I have absolution. I have the divine promise of grace and mercy. These reassurances are enough for me. Whether night or day, tribulation or joy, comes to me, I will not let go of His mercy or despond at heart.

Source: Quoted in Ewald M. Plass, What Luther Says, A Practical In-home Theology for the Active Christian. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. 1959 Edition, 10th Printing (1994), p. 670.