Martin and Katherine Luther
In 1527, the plague approached Wittenberg, Germany, home of Martin and Katherine Luther. Some say it was this looming calamity that prompted Luther to write one of the great hymns of the church: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” [1]
In fact, our congregation sang the ancient lyrics this past Sunday, although we were accompanied by keyboard, guitar, and drum—not organ. I was struck by the second line of the third verse:
“We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thro’ us.”
My mind wandered a bit. I wonder how many scriptural truths promise the result of triumph through us—verses like “My God will meet all your needs.”[2] There must be hundreds!
A bit of research revealed that Luther based his hymn on these scriptural truths from Psalm 46:
- God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (v. 1)
- We will not fear though the earth give way (v. 2)
- The Lord Almighty is with us; God is our fortress (v. 7)
Even though Luther and his family stayed in Wittenberg to care for the sick and dying, he wouldn’t have expected God to spare him or family members from the plague. Luther knew God doesn’t always intervene; he never promised heaven on earth.
But Luther understood: with God as our spiritual refuge, we find the comfort, strength, and support we need through the darkest valleys (Psalm 23).
God will lead us to triumph and provide victory over fear.
Another confidence-building scripture is tucked into the book of Nahum: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (1:7).
If we put our minds to it, every one of us can attest to the truth of those statements, because the Lord is good to all. [3]
Consider a few ways God demonstrates goodness to his people, and see if examples from your own life don’t come to mind.
- He draws us to himself, gifting us with eternal life as we believe in his Son Jesus [4]
- He provides mentors and experiences that grow our faith as well as blessings that increase our joy [5]
- He attentively cares for us and spares us from grave errors in judgment as we obey him [6]
- He bestows comfort and security during difficult times and augments the delight of happy times [7]
- His Word guides us in perfect wisdom day by day, year after year [8]
- He empowers us to accomplish tasks we never could have completed on our own [9]
“It’s important to rehearse the lovely, rich truths and promises that remain when other things change. Keep telling these truths, in all their many-sided glory, and one day, walls already cracked will crumble and fall.”
Jim McGuiggan [10]
Picture your fears cracking, crumbling, and falling in a heap in response to the weight of God’s truths.
That’s a picture of triumph!
“We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thro’ us.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank you, Father, for Your gracious invitation to leave our concerns with you and free ourselves of anxiety. As I affirm your truth, you provide fortitude and peace.
One day, the father of lies who provokes all fears WILL be defeated. As Martin Luther wrote, “One little word shall fell him!”[11] We eagerly look forward to that day.
(1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7; Romans 16:20; Philippians 3:20)
Addendum: Martin Luther and his family were all spared during the plague of 1527.
[1] No copies of this hymn have been found before this date, but a growing number after, leading various scholars to support this theory (https://www.challies.com/articles/hyms-stories-a-mighty-fortress-is-our-god/).
[2] Philippians 4:19
[3] Psalm 145:9
[4] John 6:44; 3:16
[5] Proverbs 12:15; 18:15; Psalm 4:7
[6] Psalm 27:10 HCSB; 37:23-24
[7] Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 16:11
[8] Psalm 32:8. However, I must confess to not always being receptive.
[9] Philippians 4:13
[10] Quoted by Beth Moore in Praying God’s Word, 138.
[11] From the last line of verse three, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
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From the Inside Out 