A Mighty Fortress

This hymn was forged in the midst of a battle for solid Biblical understanding. Tradition tells us that Martin Luther, the great reformer, wrote the words of the hymn “A Mighty Fortress”, but the tune was taken from a popular song, possibly played in the bars. This paints a picture of Luther, a man that didn’t try to push his authority over the people but brought the word to the people so that they could read it. Likewise, it appears that he also took the music that had meaning for them and crafted the powerful words of the hymn we are looking at. Understand, the church of the day had quite a few practices that were contrary to the word of God such as works were necessary to enter heaven, the selling of forgiveness (indulgences), praying to those other than God, etc. As Martin Luther battled the church for truth, he became very aware of all those leaders that wanted to see him dead. He saw much of it as the work of the Devil. The first verse speaks of the sea. “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 pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.” A bulwark was a defensive wall or a breakwater to prevent the sea from overwhelming the area it protected. The flood water represented a flood of worldly and devilish attacks. We are reminded not to under-estimate the power of the devil. He is incredibly powerful, fueled by hatred. Luther goes on to say that on earth, the Devil has no equal. The second verse continues, “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.” Then, at the heart of the battle for truth, Luther states his great discovery... that we are not saved by works, but rather by grace through faith in Christ. Clearly, we cannot battle the powers of the Devil on our own. Our hope rest solely in Jesus who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is our hope, and He has won the victory. Father, thank You for reformers like Martin Luther. Help us fight the good fight. Amen