Today we celebrate Martin Luther’s nailing of the Ninety-five Theses and the beginning of the church’s return to the true gospel found in Scripture. Enjoy this Reformation Day selection from Devotional Thoughts on Favorite Hymns!
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
One of the great contributions Dr. Martin Luther made during the Reformation was the restoration of congregational singing. He believed that all believers should participate in public worship. Luther loved music and he liked to sing. The people of his parish and of many other churches in Germany shared his love for singing God’s praise and glory. Luther said, “If any man despises music, as all fanatics do, for him I have no liking; for music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. Thus it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. Then one forgets all wrath, impurity, and other devices.”
Luther wrote many hymns, but his greatest is “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Luther himself loved to sing this hymn. When he faced hours of despair, doubt, or fear, he would say to his friend, Philipp Melanchthon, “Come, Philipp, let us sing the 46th Psalm.” The two friends would sing loudly Luther’s version, “Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott” (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God). Both Luther and Melanchthon were strengthened by the words of this psalm and hymn. So many Christians over the years have also received new strength, power, and courage to work and to remain faithful to their Lord and Savior. As a result this hymn has become the favorite hymn, not only of the Lutheran church, but of Protestantism as well. Indeed, it would be difficult to find a Protestant hymnal that does not include this great hymn.
What is the source of all the comfort, strength, and power this hymn provides? As Luther probably would have answered, “It’s simple. It’s in the Word of God which has the power to change our lives and make us all feel better.”
Do you agree? I’m sure you do because you, too, have experienced the joy and comfort of God’s Word. The greatest comfort you receive from his Word is the knowledge that Jesus, the One “whom God himself elected,” died for your sins and guilt and gives you eternal life. All the devils in all of creation can’t take that away from you. God’s Word not only gives salvation; it also has power through Christ to fell the devil. Satan can’t harm you because you are the Lord Jesus’ child.
Are there times in your life when, like Luther, you feel doubt, despair or fear? Once again, God’s Word is there to provide the power and strength to overcome these feelings.
In those times of doubt and frustration, to whom do you turn? You should turn to God, who is your only “refuge and strength, an ever-present help.” The Word of God has the power to replace fear with courage, doubt with confidence, and despair with cheerfulness and hope.
Sing the hymn often, and sing it with confidence, knowing that God is indeed your refuge and fortress.
Prayer:
Dear God, you are our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in trouble.You are a “Mighty Fortress” in time of need.Thanks for the many times you have been at our side to give us courage, confidence, hope, and comfort.Thank you for the great men like Martin Luther whom you used to restore the great truths of your Word.Teach us to use your Word wisely.In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
BACKGROUND OF THE HYMN
The hymn and tune were written in the late 1520’s by Dr. Martin Luther, the great Reformer. Most churches consider it the single most powerful hymn of the Protestant Reformation. There are over 70 translations of “Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott.” The most frequently used are the versions of Thomas Carlyle and F. H. Hedge.
From Devotional Thoughts on Favorite Hymns. All rights reserved.
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