Luther and the bubonic plague

Proverbs 13:20, He that walks with wise men shall be wise.

A dear friend sent this a few days ago. I thought it was insightful and wise. I pray that you will read and follow the advice and example of Mr. Luther as he faced a time of great difficulty, living through the bubonic plague.

“I shall ask God be merciful to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, He will surely find me, and I have done what He has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however, I shall not avoid place or person I shall go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

May we live to love and honor God as we love and serve one another to the best of our abilities.