06 JULY 1527 – “A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD!”

Martin Luther the reformer, on 06 July 1527 had invited some friends for dinner at his home. As they were arriving, Luther has an intense buzzing in his left ear. He goes to rest a little while, hoping this would help. It doesn’t help, and instead it painfully persists, which makes him shout, “Water…or I will die.” Bouts of depression plagues Luther after that, and he is unable to get much help to counter it. In the midst of such depression is born the hymn, *”A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD”* – a song to combat depression, all its impact – born out of his concerns and all his fears. I am reminded of Psalm 46, where the Psalmist is going through very violent churning, yet he makes a bold statement. John Trapp notes that, “Luther, when in greatest distress, was wont to call for this psalm, saying, ‘Let us sing the forty-sixth psalm in concert; and then let the devil do his worst.'”
– “​1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” – Psalms 46:1-3

The first two stanzas of the hymn “A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD” speaks the mind and the approach of Martin Luther to fight his way through his depression, and through everything that may have been troubling his heart.
– “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.”
– “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.”

The hymn which Martin Luther wrote almost 500 years back, still speaks to us today. What insights Luther gained in his understand of God, the heart of man, his sufferings at the hand of our foe, are still relevant for us today.
– We too face similar situations.
– Our enemy still is the prince of darkness, the ruler of this world.
– We too have our own doubts and concerns, which do trouble us, our hearts and cause us to be scared and afraid.
– For many they may become the reason for their downcast feelings and their depression.

Dear brothers and sisters, Martin Luther found his comfort, help and healing in the LORD Jesus Christ, his Mighty Fortress. Where are we seeking for our comfort, help and healing? Answering this question is critical to find the answer to all our struggles, storms and sufferings. Is the LORD Jesus our REFUGE and FORTRESS? May we always seek the LORD Jesus, and come to Him for all our doubts, concerns and needs. He alone is our sure help. The LORD alone can and will help us. Let us run to Him always. Even so, the LORD help us.