Saturday, October 22, 2011
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:1-3, 7 (CEV)
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
When Martin Luther set Psalm 46 to music and poetic verse he did not try to put every thought in the Psalm into his hymn but instead chose to develop the psalmist's inspired theme as it was reflected in key verses and words.
When the psalmist thought of the LORD as his Refuge and Fortress he may have pictured a mountain crag rather than a castle like the Wartburg, but Luther's hymn reflected the world in which he and those first singing his hymn lived. In their very real (and dangerous) world believers found the God of the Bible their "very present help in trouble." That has not changed for those who trust in the LORD, has it?
A mighty Fortress is our God, A trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from every need That hath us now o'ertaken.
And whether or not the psalmist had in mind the earthly forces that opposed Israel, Luther, who also was threatened by the armed forces of his enemies, recognized that behind every evil that lurks is that "old evil Foe" who "means deadly woe" -- who seeks our eternal destruction. That also has not changed. But still He who us with us is far stronger.
How much stronger? Remember that the LORD of Hosts (Sabaoth), the Commander of the angel armies, who fights for us is none other than the LORD who became one with us to stand in for us at Calvary -- and take out our arch-enemy once and for all.
But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is. Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there's none other God; He holds the field forever.
