This week we will be celebrating Reformation in our weekend worship. Reformation highlights those who have fought against error which the devil seeks to sow in the church and its teaching, and the need for Christians to continue that fight still today.
The hymn that we are studying this week is Luther's famous "A Mighty Fortress" which has as many as 80 different English translations, and has encouraged Christians for over 500 years. The hymn was written in the late 1520’s during a very dark time in Germany. War, plague, sickness, and religious oppression surrounded the LORD’s church there. In this turmoil, Luther turned to the LORD and the promises found in His word. He took comfort in the words of the Psalmist: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble… The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:1,6-7). Luther reminds God’s people then and now of the LORD’s power which is greater than that of every enemy we might face. The old evil foe? Devils eager to devour us? “We tremble not, we fear no ill.” “He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done.” Jesus -- the One whom God Himself elected, the Sabaoth Lord, the Valiant One -- is on our side, and fights for us! “The Kingdom ours remaineth.”
Thanks be to God that we can have confidence in His work for us In Jesus, that our sins are forgiven, and that He is greater than every enemy we will face, including the devil himself!
This weekend as we thank God for His promise that His Church and His Word will not fail, and as we rejoice in those who fought for that truth in the past and as He gives us strength to fight that fight still today. Join us in our worship as we unite our voices to sing our confidence in God based on Psalm 46!
