A Mighty Fortress!
Our Learn by Heart Hymn at church for the month of October is A Mighty Fortress by Martin Luther. The hymn is based upon Psalm 46, which begins with: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." It's been commonly referred to as the battle hymn of the reformation, but it's not only that, it's also a battle hymn of this Christian life.
Life in this sinful world is a battle against Satan. Our evil foe is constantly attacking us with his holy sounding lies. If at anytime we feel as though we're not in a battle, then the foe has indeed taken the upper hand in our lives, since he's managed to convince us to stop fighting against him. Dear Christian, wake up from your slumber! Take up the shield of faith and sword of the Word, and return to the Fortress!
From the fortress you can see the valiant One, Jesus Christ, fighting for you upon the plain! The world is filled with devils, eager to devour you, but the little Word incarnate crushes the serpent's head. That little Word of God remains, even though the world desires to silence it.
Over the past 7 months especially the world has fought hard to silence the little Word by shutting down churches. The foe knows that he's lost, but that if he can separate the soldiers of the cross from the mighty fortress, if he can prevent the Christians from hearing and feasting upon the little Word, then He can bring those souls with him to Hades.
Dear Christians, be strong and courageous in the Lord! Christ is by our side, upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit! We Christians are protected in the fortress, but still fighting the demons upon the plain together with Christ! Sure, the devils may take our life, goods, fame, child, and wife. We may lose everything in this life. Covid may kill us. The constitution may be lost. Tyrants may rule us. Marxism may come. But have courage! Our victory has already been won! We shall inherit the kingdom of heaven!
In the meantime, wake up! Take up the sword of the Spirit, the little Word of God, and fight! Don't be a fool and fight by yourself, but join other Christians in the battle! Christ goes before you into battle, and other Christians go with you! Don't let a virus scare you away from the church. Don't let death frighten you away from other Christians. Don't let some governmental tyrants make you tremble in your boots and prevent you from receiving the medicine of immortality in the sacrament.
The church is essential. The sacraments are essential. Christian friendship, face to face, in the flesh, is essential. Be unafraid! A mighty fortress is our God! Sing it from your homes and your sanctuaries!
1 A mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from ev'ry need
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil foe
Now means deadly woe;
Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
2 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.
3 Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill;
They shall not overpow'r us.
This world's prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none.
He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
4 The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone,
Our vict'ry has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
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