A Mighty Fortress is Our God!
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
This morning as I awoke the theme of “our God is our Fortress” was on my mind.
What a wonderful truth. When the conflict and strife come upon us we can trust in the name of the Lord as our defense! He is a strong tower. Another comforting verse during times of conflict when we feel that we are being overwhelmed by the powers of evil is:
”You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Martin Luther was assured of this truth on more than one occasion in his life. He spent many years buffeting his body trying to gain favor with God not realizing that Jesus Christ had accomplished this work for him already. Then years later after he placed his faith and trust in Christ alone for this merit he was still tested by those who sought to take his life. Martin Luther could say with confidence “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!”.
Are you trusting God to be your defense or are you trusting in your own works to save you from your troubles?
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 doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
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:
Dost 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.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath 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.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.