Saturday, November 3, 2012
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD
During the time of the Reformation there were days that looked dark and the future dismal. At such times Luther himself would be worried, and more than once he said to his companions, for their encouragement and his own, "Come, let us sing the 46th Psalm." So they sang Luther's hymn based on that Psalm: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
There are situations in our lives today when we need to remember the Scripture truths expressed in this hymn -- when we also need to join our hearts and voices in its stirring words. The old evil Foe is still the powerful and clever enemy of God's people. We are no match for him on our own. So we too turn to the One in whom we can place our every confidence -- Who has created and redeemed us.
A mighty Fortress is our God, A trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from every need That hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil Foe Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight;
On Earth is not his equal.
With his false teachings and clever arguments, Satan's power and craftiness makes our situation even worse than it first appears. He is no mere flesh and blood foe. But like Luther, we have One who fights for us -- who has been victorious over Satan every time they came up against each other. His victory is ours. In fact, His victory at the cross -- when Jesus went out to meet the old evil Foe for us and took on the battle we could not fight -- is the victory that makes our God truly our "mighty Fortress."
With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected;
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.
