These are the words Martin Luther would often say to his colleague, Philip Melancthon, during the sometimes very dark days of the Reformation. When Melancthon or Luther were downcast, they would belt out the great "battle hymn of the Reformation"-- "A Mighty Fortress is our God" written by Luther during a particularly tragic time of loss and struggle in his life. The hymn is based upon the words of Psalm 46.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, thought the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God., the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come behold the works of the Lord, how He has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. 'Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the earth!' The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Ps.46
Today I thank the Lord that He is our refuge and strength and very present help in trouble. No matter how crazy our world becomes, no matter how hectic our schedules and to do lists, no matter how hard and challenging our circumstances, no matter how seemingly insurmountable our obstacles, He is our refuge and fortress and "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." It's not all about me and my puny efforts. It's all about Him. It's not about what I can do. It's about what He can and will do through His Holy Spirit. O how I thank Him that it's not all up to me! Because I can't do it--but He is able!
I have always loved the story of Charlton Heston in the movie, "Ben Hur." His director, the great Cecil B. Demille, wanted Heston to actually drive the chariot in the movie's climatic chariot race. Needless to say, folks nowadays don't have much practice in 1st century chariot racing (though my children probably think I might have been around that far back), so Heston struggled for several arduous weeks learning how to drive a chariot. After much hard work, Heston finally came to the director and worriedly confided to him, "Well, I think I can drive the chariot, but I don't know if I can win the race." Demille's answer? "O, you just drive the chariot. I'll make sure you win in the end."
Lord, somedays we're not even sure we can drive this chariot of life. We falter and faint and sometimes fail. But You have promised that if we'll just keep driving, You will make sure we win in the end. If we need proof, all we need to do is look to Calvary, where you defeated the powers of sin and death, and to the empty tomb, where You rose to new, glorious, eternal, resurrection life. And so, too, one day will we. You are our refuge and fortress, and You will never ever leave us. "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised." Heb. 10:35-36 The best is yet to come. Heaven is coming, and it will be glorious! Don't give in or give up--Just keep driving and He'll enable you to win the race.
And while you're at it, why don't you belt out a couple of stanzas of "A Mighty Fortress is our God?" Sing the 46th and watch the devil flee! To God, our refuge, our strength, our mighty fortress who enables us to win in the end, be all the glory.
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