.:: All of me just for Him ::.

I did not realise that it’s been half-a-year since I last posted here.  I really should write more.

I’m currently reading this book called 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W.  Osbeck – it briefly describes the stories behind the writings of 101 classical hymns.   The first song that Osbeck put in his book is “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, written by Martin Luther, who was the father of Reformation.

1.	A mighty fortress is our God,
	a bulwark never failing;
	our helper he amid the flood
	of mortal ills prevaling.
	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.

2.	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.

3.	And though this world, with devils filled,
	should threaten to undo us,
	we will not fear, for God hath willed
	his truth to triumph through 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.

4.	That word above all earthly powers,
	no thanks to them, abideth;
	the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
	thru 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.

According to Osbeck, one of the important significance of the Reformation was the discovery of congregational singing.  Luther expressed his beliefs in the importance of hymns in many statements including this, ” If any man despises music, as all fanatics do, for him I have no liking; for music is a gift and grace of god, not an invention of men.” and “I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of songs.”

This song itself was based on Psalm 46, and has become a great source of strength especially during Reformation time, for those people who were suffering for their convictions in Christ.  The song was based on Luther’s own hardships, having confronted the corruption of the church at the time.  He constantly lived in  struggles, being marked as an outlaw, and at the time – going against the church meant death.  However, despite all the fears, despite all the hardships, Luther survived it all and continued to stand firm.  He confided not in his own strength but in God’s.

Living in the world that is going against us more and more each day, Christians are faced with the burden of having to stand firm.  There are and will be days when we feel weak, where we no longer have the strength to stand.  But let us constantly be reminded that the source of our strength is not from ourselves, but from Him who has risen from the dead.

¹ 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.

- Psalm 46:1-3