Wisdom from Luther’s House Postils

All of this should encourage us to follow Peter’s splendid example. He held steadfastly to Christ’s word, refusing to let other thoughts and doubts lead him astray. If you are a pastor engaged in preaching and teaching your people, and the response hasn’t been all that great, don’t be dismayed and diverted. Say to yourself: God has ordered me to proclaim his Word, and that’s what I’ll continue to do. If it does’t always prosper, God knows why; if my work does thrive, it pleases both him and me. The same attitude should prevail in any other of life’s callings. Say to yourself: God’s Word and will are present, and so I’ll go ahead, throw out my net, and let God worry about how full it will be!—Sermon 1 for Trinity 5 (St. Luke 5:1-11), par. 13, preached in 1533. (Vol. II:288, 289)