為什麼基督徒會缺乏？
自以為缺乏，才會尋求上帝的恩典。自以為聖潔，才鄙視上帝的拯救。但是我，在一切世物上如此缺乏，不知道其中有什麼安慰。所以，惟有上帝是我的安慰。
這樣的祭是正確的，是得上帝喜悅的祭，就是：一個在受造界找不到任何安慰的靈魂，甚至被世界逼迫，被其拋棄。這靈魂不尋求什麼，只尋求上帝的恩典。正如馬太福音5:4所描繪的：「哀慟的人有福了！因為他們必得安慰。」
那些在人的世界裏出名的尊貴之人，他們住在人的光中。他們不喜歡苦惱和悲傷。他們在今日的世界中有安慰。他們靠自己手的力量，在工作中得喜樂。他們有自己的智慧和自己的公義。他們不需要上帝。
但是我，在這些事物上如此缺乏，不知道其中有什麼安慰。
古時，上帝讓他的聖徒經歷這樣的缺乏：他們無法用自己的工作、能力、知識、或虔誠，支持什麼人。所以，詩篇44:1-3說：「上帝啊，你在古時，我們列祖的日子所行的事，我們親耳聽見了；我們的列祖也給我們述說過。你曾用手趕出外邦人，卻栽培了我們列祖；你苦待列邦，卻叫我們列祖發達。因為他們不是靠自己的刀劍得地土，也不是靠自己的膀臂得勝，乃是靠你的右手、你的膀臂，和你臉上的亮光，因為你喜悅他們。」(AE 14:198–199)
如乾旱之地盼雨一樣，我的靈魂渴想你的恩典，正如詩篇63:1說：「我渴想你」。只有那些以為「如果沒有上帝的恩典，自己的善行都是無用」的人會這樣想。
驕傲的心不能相信這些。所以，他們把自己的思想、話語、和教義都建立在自己的工作上。他們飽足了，並不渴想恩典。他們也不會向上帝舉手。他們想到自己的生命就全然滿足了。——馬丁路德(AE 14:200)
This is the right kind of sacrifice, one that pleases God, as already stated in the fourth of these psalms (51:17), namely, a soul that has no comfort among creatures and is even forsaken and persecuted by itself, so that it looks for nothing but the pure grace of God. Those who weep are blessed, for they shall be comforted (Matt. 5:4).
Those who are illustrious and exalted and dwell in the light of men do not want to be troubled and sad. They have comfort and joy in the present life and in the works of their own strength, wisdom, and righteousness; they do not need God. But I, who am so poor in these things, know of no other comfort than this, that God in times past has permitted all His saints to experience need and has never sustained anyone through his own works, abilities, knowledge, or piety. Thus Ps. 44:1–3: “O God, we have heard, our fathers have told us, what deeds Thou didst perform in their days, how Thou didst drive out and afflict the heathen, that Thou mightest plant them in their land. For indeed, not with their swords did they possess the land, nor did their own power help them, but Thy power and the gracious light of Thy countenance; for it pleased Thee to do this even though they did not deserve it.” (AE 14:198–199)
Just as a parched field thirsts for rain, so my soul thirsts for Thy grace, as in Ps. 63:1: “My soul thirsts for Thee.” This flows from the knowledge that all work without God’s grace is nothing. The proud in heart do not believe this. Therefore their thoughts, words, and doctrine rest on their own works. They are sated and do not thirst for grace, nor do they stretch forth their hands to God. They consider their life entirely satisfactory. (AE 14:200)
