Years ago, like almost 40
years, I remember singing some songs that were hard to understand. They were difficult until you started to pull
apart the phrases and even look behind the words to the story.
This is a hymn of our Christian faith and a powerful song at that. As you read the following words and verses
may you be reminded of what might have been going through the writers mind as
he penned these words:
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.
The hymn is A Mighty Fortress Is Our
God, and it was written by the one and only Martin Luther. That Martin is the one who
stuck his head up to stand against the church and begin what we know as the
Protestant Reformation.
This song has been called the greatest hymn by many and said to be written
by the greatest man and during one of the greatest periods of human
history. What we do know is that these
words pack a spiritual power punch of faith.
They can sink deep in to the heart of the person who seeks God.
God is our only helper and strength at times we so need Him.
Striving to live life apart from God is futile, and that is why God gave
us His son.
Fear and the enemy are overcome by faith in God that dispels darkness.
Above all earthly powers our God is able, and His kingdom will prevail.
Power words. Written by a man of
deep faith. We must learn from those who
have gone before us and experienced God at the height and depths of life. Our God is able, and He is a might fortress
for each and every one of His children!
But the lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock
where I hide.
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