Lenten Reflection - March 17th

Written by: Frank Raike

Reading: Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" is the best known of Martin Luther's hymns. Luther wrote the words and composed the melody sometime around 1528. The words are a paraphrase of Psalm 46.

A Mighty Fortress" is one of the best loved hymns of the Lutheran and Protestant traditions. It has been called the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation" for the effect it had in increasing the support for the Reformers' cause. It served to giving hope to change.

Today, this psalm encourages us to hope and trust in God, and his power and gracious presence with his church in these challenging times. It also directs us to give God the glory of what he has done for us and what he will do.

Like all the psalms, Psalm 46 gives us permission to speak to God about all our joys and our pains. Whatever sentiment we feel in our most intimate thoughts, can be expressed and shared openly with the Lord. Even in our darkest moments, God surely welcomes our conversation, our pleas for help, our deepest prayers and petitions. God is present with us in all our joys and our sorrows.

Christ Our Savior: You are our Mighty Fortress at times of threat, fear, and loss. You are our Mighty Fortress at times of success, joy, and prosperity. Thank you for your sweet salvation to us of grace, hope, faith, and love. Amen