God is a Mighty Fortress…
The 116-foot granite Miles Standish Monument in Duxbury, Massachusetts, stands as a reminder of a mighty fortress in the early days of our nation.
As I write this post on November 11th, Veteran’s Day, I’ve been thinking about men and women in our country’s military. My father served in the U. S. Army as a paratrooper during World War II, and Dad is especially in my thoughts today.
Today, we live in a world of unrest in which many lives are being devastated by war. War is a horrible thing. No doubt, war scars the lives of everyone touched by it.
Jesus addressed the matter of war when he discussed earth’s final days.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (Matthew 24:6-7 NIV)
I have no authority to claim we’re living in last days. But I do know the words Jesus spoke have felt applicable to countless people throughout world history.
A little over a week ago, I was privileged to join the teaching team at a spiritual direction retreat in Colorado Springs. In our final Sunday morning gathering, a lovely woman delivered the message, using Psalm 46—one of my favorite portions of Scripture—as her text.
During her powerful presentation, I learned that Martin Luther, during the Protestant Reformation, paraphrased Psalm 46 in his majestic hymn, A Might Fortress is Our God. Subsequent research revealed the song was penned originally to inspire soldiers who fought during the Ottoman wars in Europe.
Even the thought of war is terrifying, but the words of Jesus and Martin Luther inspire us to be courageous and never forget God is our “mighty fortress.”
Jesus said, … see to it that you are not alarmed. (Matthew 14:6)
Martin Luther reinforces Jesus’ words in verses 2 and 3 of A Mighty Fortress …:
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he …
&
… And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
Sometimes the war in which we fight is not the result of politics but involves unique personal battles. If that fits for you, I pray God will use the words of both Jesus and Martin Luther to ignite hope and courage in your soul today.
Despite the battles, blessings on your journey…
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
2 Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.
3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.[i]
[i] www.Songwriters Martin Luther Published by Public Domain