November 2, 2024
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!
7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing.
Our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
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.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.
Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
James Mays, an Old Testament scholar, asserts that Psalm 46 encourages trust not in a location, but in a divine Presence (Mays, James, Psalms: Interpretation, p. 185). It's possible that the depictions of God as a bulwark or fortress are not meant to convey a static, confined deity, but rather to arouse trust in a God who is ever-present with us through all life's changes and challenges. Luther's presentation of Psalm 46 in his hymn, may serve as an image, a metaphor, "A Mighty Fortress is our God" providing us with the foundation to embrace reform, transformation, and trials.
Considering that God accompanies us at every stage of our life's journey, it can indeed transform our perspective on the future's potential as one of HOPE.
Knowing and trusting that despite the frequent confusion and discomfort of change; despite the times our own strength appears to falter; and despite the feeling that "this world, with devils filled might threaten to undo us," we are sustained by God's enduring and steadfast presence, we shall not fear. "We will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us."
God's presence is the steadfast rock upon which we stand, the formidable fortress we call home, and the unchanging promise of God's presence endures, regardless of what happens, for this promise is grounded in "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.
Amen
LET US PRAY
O Mighty Fortress, bulwark of love and presence, open our eyes to the ways you travel with us. Open our hearts for the constant reforming and renewing work of your Spirit. Don’t let us grow content with what is, but give us vision for what, and who, we might become as your people and as your church. Amen.
LET US PRAY
O Mighty Fortress, bulwark of love and presence, open our eyes to the ways you travel with us. Open our hearts for the constant reforming and renewing work of your Spirit. Don’t let us grow content with what is, but give us vision for what, and who, we might become as your people and as your church. Amen.
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