Dear members and friends of OSLC,
A colleague of mine told me that he recently preached on Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress”. I think he’s on to something. During this time of uncertainty, let us all meditate now on this hymn of the Reformation, allowing its message to seep deep into our souls.
“A mighty fortress is our God, a sword and shield victorious;
he breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod and wins salvation glorious.
The old Satanic foe has sworn to work us woe!
With craft and dreadful might
he arms himself to fight
on earth he has no equal.
“No strength of ours can match his might!
We would be lost, rejected.
But now a champion comes to fight,
whom God himself elected. You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is he! Christ Jesus, mighty Lord, God’s only Son, adored.
He holds the field victorious.
“Though hordes of devils fill the land
all threatening to devour us, we tremble not, unmoved we stand;
they cannot overpower us. Let this world’s tyrant rage;
in battle will engage!
His might is doomed to fail; God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
“God’s Word forever shall abide,
no thanks to foes, who fear it;
for God himself fights by our side
with weapons of the Spirit.
Were they to take our house, goods, honor, child, or spouse,
though life be wrenched away,
they cannot win the day.
The Kingdom’s ours
forever!”
May the Holy Spirit use this lyric to strengthen our faith so that we may boldly declare, “This is most certainly true!”
Be well. Stay well.
Pastor O’Rourke