Faith
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
Psalm 46:1-3
STORY
Martin Luther was a Roman Catholic priest and monk who considered that the Church of Rome was corrupt, specifically for its legalism and emphasis on collecting money. On October 31,1517, he posted his famous 95 Theses on the door of the church at Wittenberg, inviting a debate on the issues that concerned him. This led to the German Reformation, or better known to us today as the Protestant Reformation.
In addition to Luther’s skills as a writer, bible translator, and preacher, he was also an amateur musician. He wrote thirty-seven hymns, the best known is A Mighty Fortress is Our God.
These were some of the darkest years in Luther’s life. In August 1527, a man who followed Luther’s teaching was martyred. In the fall of 1527, a plague broke out in Wittenberg. In December 1527, a colleague wrote, “We are all in good health except for Luther himself, who is physically well, but outwardly the whole world and inwardly the devil and all his angels are making him suffer.” A few days later, in January 1528, Luther wrote that he was undergoing a period of temptation that was the worst he had experienced in his life.
The hymn was published in Augsburg in 1529. The original title was A Hymn of Comfort. The hymn is based on Psalm 46, and is intended to be a hymn of comfort as we endure the trails and tribulations of daily living:
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper he amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
DEVOTION
Martin Luther is recognized as one of the most dominant spiritual leaders in the history of the church. Though, even with his steadfast faith he was tormented by the problems of life. We can look to Luther’s faith to encourage us as we endure the adversities of life. In addition to reading the spiritual writings of Christian leaders, we must turn to Christians that we know intimately in our daily sphere of life.
It is in Christian fellowship that we know that we are never alone. It is Christina fellowship that we will always hear words of encouragement. It is Christian fellowship that we will always be reminded of the promises of the scriptures.
This is why we cannot be an isolated Christian. There is much merit for those who contend that they find mediating in the woods to be more meaningful than attending church, though the trees will never provide the spiritual support that arises from a meaningful relationship with another Christian. This is why we must leave the woods or beach or hilltop and make a pilgrimage to the church. The hymns that we sing in worship and the fellowship of Sunday school will be our “bulwark never failing.”
As important as Christian interpersonal relationships are as a substructure for our faith, the wisdom recorded in the writings of the saints of the church will always encourage us.
Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis, better known as Augustine of Hippo, was born in 334 in Thagaste, North Africa. He is extolled as one of the greatest of the Church Fathers. More than any other Church Fathers, he developed what would become known as systematic theology, or an explanation of how Christianity fits into views of the universe, creation, and humankind’s relationship with God.
In late August of 386, at the age of 31, having read the life of Anthony of the Desert, Augustine converted to Christianity. Before he read the biography, as Augustine later told it, his conversion was prompted by hearing a child’s voice say “take up and read.” With this heavenly voice he sought to know what God desired of him. To search for his answer, he employed the practice of sortes biblicae. Sortes biblicae, meaning “biblical lots,” is a method of divination where the Bible is opened randomly and the first words which one sees are interpreted as predictive. Augustine randomly opened the Bible of St. Paul’s writings and read Romans 13:3-14: “Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.” With these words, Augustine who previously was unable to relinquish worldly affairs, now realized that he must live a devout and spiritually disciplined life.
In an exposition on Psalm 46, Augustine wrote:
There are many kinds of tribulation, and in all of them we must seek refuge in God, whether the trouble concerns our income, our bodily health, some danger threatening we love or something we need to support our life. Whatever it is, there should be no refuge for a Christian other than our Savior. He is God, and when we can flee to him, we are strong. No Christian will be strong in himself or herself; but God, who has become our refuge, will supply the strength.
In times of personal tribulation, we know by the writings of the spiritual leaders of the church and by our close association with other Christians, that “A mighty fortress is our God”.