A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
I don’t know why I read or watch the news. I understand that it keeps me informed about what goes on in the world today, but often times I wonder how good it really is for me. There has only been a few times (that I recall) where I felt positive and hopeful about what’s happening. Hopelessness, frustration, sadness resulting in deep sighs and side comments in response to news like “we all need Jesus” or “Jesus needs to hurry and come” seem to overwhelm my thoughts and emotions. However, as I was reflecting this week, the Lord reminded me of His sovereignty. It wasn’t a cop-out reminder for myself, a reassuring word and thought to say for me to dismiss the reality of life, but a true reminder that He has the whole world in His hands. Isaiah 66 has come to mind often, “Heaven is His throne, earth is His footstool” – He is indeed a big, mighty, sovereign God. If you think on the events in scripture, especially throughout the Old Testament, we see God’s power, hope, and love shine through in some of the darkest moments of Israelite history. Imagine being in captivity for generations, brainwashed by different rulers and forced into cultures and traditions foreign to your own. But in the midst of that, the Lord sends people to remind greater Israel that He is still God and they are still His people, if they would turn from idols and obey. God knows all and will respond accordingly in His perfect timing. Whether it’s in your life or in this world, He is sovereign, He is faithful, He is a mighty fortress. I leave you with a hymn called “A Mighty Fortress is our God” by Martin Luther that has encouraged me this week:
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 pow'r 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. And tho' this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thro' us.
The Prince of Darkness grim�
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly pow'rs,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Thro' Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
July 5, 2015