CW 863: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
You may be asking why we are singing a Reformation hymn in March. Don’t we only sing A Mighty Fortress in October? This hymn is more than just a celebration and reminder of the events of the Reformation. A Mighty Fortress is a battle hymn. It tells us of the war that is waged each day of our lives. Satan, the world, and our own sinful flesh are constantly seeking to destroy our souls. Our ancient enemy wants nothing more than to rob us of the joy of our salvation. We are not alone in this fight we have a powerful champion who defeated our enemy when he crushed the head of the Serpent on the cross. Our God is a mighty fortress who will protect and shield us from the attacks of our enemies.
On the first Sunday in Lent, we remember the battle that was fought on our behalf. Our Gospel reading this week is about the temptation of Jesus. After our Lord’s baptism, he went out into the wilderness where he was challenged and tempted by the Devil. Jesus did what we can never do. He perfectly resisted the attacks and assaults of Satan. He rebuked the Devil and remained perfectly faithful to God. Jesus was tempted in every way that we are and yet he was without sin. For this reason, he could offer his life as a perfect substitute for us on the cross. Christ became sin in our place and gave us his perfection. A Mighty Fortress is a wonderful hymn that reminds us that the war for our souls has already been one. Christ is our valiant one who defeated our enemy and gave us the certainty of victory.
Verse 1: A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon; he helps us free from every need that has us now o’ertaken. The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight; on earth is not his equal.
Luther takes the title for this hymn from verses 7 and 11 of Psalm 46, “The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” When we face times of trial and hardship, we can flee to the Lord. Our God is like a mighty fortress built on an unshakeable rock. Satan may launch many attacks against that fortress, but nothing can ever shake the power of our God. We are safe and secure in the palm of our Father’s hand. He will guard and protect us. Satan challenged the might of God and was cast down. Every attack of Satan will be repulsed by the unassailable power of our God.
Verse 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. You ask, “Who is this?” Jesus Christ it is, the almighty Lord, and there’s no other God; he holds the field forever.
On our own, we are powerless to resist the temptations of the devil. We were born enslaved to sin and hostile to God. It is only through the power of the Gospel working through the Word and Sacraments that we have been brought to faith. We now have Christ, the almighty Lord, fighting on our side. By his death and resurrection, Christ defeated the power of the devil. Satan has been cast down, and we have been freed from his power. Christ is victorious. He holds the field of battle for eternity. Sometimes, it may seem like Satan is winning as we see evil run rampant through this world, but we know Christ has won. Our eternal victory is certain, and Satan’s time is short.
Verse 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 judged; the deed is done; one little word can fell him.
Our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking to devour us. Satan hates Christ, and he hates his followers. He wants nothing more than to destroy our faith and condemn us to an eternity in hell with him. Satan wants us to believe that he is a great and terrible enemy. But we know that he has been defeated. Satan cannot harm those God has called to be his own. We are safe in the fortress of our God. Satan cannot accuse us of our sins any longer because our sins have been paid for with the blood of Christ. Christ has defeated Satan once and for all by his death on the cross. He crushed the head of the Old Serpent, who led the world astray.
Verse 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 all may be gone, our victory is won; the kingdom’s ours forever.
During the years of conflict following the Reformation, many German rulers who supported Luther adopted the motto Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum, which means “The Word of the Lord endures forever.” This is a confident expression of the enduring power and authority of God’s Word based on 1 Peter 1:24-25. They understood that it is only through God’s enduring Word that we learn about salvation through Jesus Christ. The final verse of A Mighty Fortress reminds us that we will face times of trial and persecution during our lives of faith. Christ promised that the world would hate us because it hated him first. Luther and his followers faced intense persecution during their lives. But they never compromised the Word of God. They knew that the troubles of this life were temporary, but the glorious kingdom of God is ours forever!
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God is a powerful hymn of trust in the power of our God. We know that we are engaged in a great spiritual battle. Satan, the world, and our own sinful natures are constantly fighting against us and trying to lead us away from God. When we look at all the evil in the world, we may be tempted to doubt the power of God. In those moments of doubt, we fix our eyes on the cross and remember Christ has already won the battle. Satan has been defeated! The head of the Serpent has been crushed! Christ has defeated all his enemies by his death and resurrection and holds the field forever. We are safe in the mighty fortress of our God, and nothing can ever snatch us from his hand.