A Mighty Fortress is Our God ~ Hymn Story ~ Lucy Neeley Adams

                               A MIGHTY FORTRESS                               

a Hymn Story by

Lucy Neely Adams

  There was no war, but it was definitely a conflict in Wittenburg, Germany on October 31, 1517.  A Catholic priest posted a list of complaints against his church and nailed them to the front door.  

   That expression of anguish in the heart of the priest–Martin Luther–brought about the greatest upheaval in the Christian faith since the beginnings of the Christian movement. Much conflict arose between those who wanted change and those who did not.  So, it was a blessing that a very sympathetic friend led him to hide in the safety of a castle.

     It was there that Luther reaffirmed the protection and comfort of a mighty God.  Within his temporary hiding place, the words of Psalm 46 came alive and were overwhelming.  We also feast on those words from our Bible:  "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

     During those days of solitude, prayer and Bible study, Luther began to translate the Scripture into the German language.  He said, "All people must be able to read God's word for themselves."

     Likewise, he believed that church music was for all to sing.  He also believed that "the devil, who is the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles, flees before the sound of God's music almost as much as before the Word of God".

     With that inspiration, he composed the hymn,  A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD.  It begins with a bold affirmation of a powerful and loving God:   

  

  " A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.    Our helper, He amid the flood, of mortal ills prevailing."

      When Luther returned to face his critics, he was armed with renewed determination.  He would not recant his protests against the Catholic church.  So, after a struggle for several years with officials in Rome, he was excommunicated in 1520.

     However, this great Christian leader did not lose heart.  He continued teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ until his death in 1546 at the age of 63.  He lived in the town of his birth, Eisleben, Saxony, Germany.  His majestic hymn, A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD, was sung at his funeral and the first line is engraved on his tombstone.

     For more than 500 years it has been sung by millions of Christians around the world.  During these days of fall festivals and fun activities, we are also encouraged that our Christian faith is strong because our Lord is strong and a loving fortress.  Other words in the great hymn remind us that "we do not need to confide in our own strength but in Christ Jesus who is the same from age to age."  Also, we rejoice because "God's truth abideth still and His Kingdom is forever."  

Lucy Neeley Adams     

October 2019