March 20

Psalm 31:1
THIS was the verse that stirred the soul of Luther. As a monk in the monastery, greatly troubled about his sins, he read in the Latin Psalter, “Deliver (or save) me in Thy righteousness.” “What!” he exclaimed, “I can understand how God could judge me in His righteousness, but surely if He saves me it must be in His mercy.” As he continued to ponder the Word of God, particularly the truth as set forth in the Epistle to the Romans, he learned how God could be just and yet the Justifier of those who believe in Jesus. This is the great truth which when once that Luther grasped it, was used to bring about the Reformation.
“The perfect righteousness of God
Is witnessed in the Saviour’s blood;
‘Tis in the cross of Christ we trace
His righteousness, yet wondrous grace
God could not pass the sinner by.
His sin demands that he must die;
But in the cross of Christ we see
How God can save, yet righteous be.”