Gerhard and Walther

Is it not a great and incomprehensible grace and blessing that God the Lord chose us for eternal life in Christ, that He did not ordain us for wrath, instead for the possession of salvation? 1 Thes. 5:9.—Johann Gerhard, Schola Pietatis, p. 68.

Not the one who is full, but only the one who is tormented by hunger and thirst can rejoice from his heart when food and drink are offered to him. Not the one who is well, but only the one who painfully feels his sickness can rejoice from his heart when he is assured that he will soon be well. Not the one who is free, but only the one who knows he is a prisoner can rejoice from his heart when his freedom is announced. Not the one who is rich, but only one who is oppressed and frightened by his debts can rejoice from his heart when he hears that those debts have been paid. In the same way, only one who vividly recognizes that he is a poor, lost sinner can rejoice from his heart when he hears that the Savior of sinners is here.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, pp. 48, 49.