Men of fortitude view God as a mighty fortress. We remember the great hymn written by Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”.
Upon hearing the song sung at his church, Eric Costanz posted on August 11, 2011, an article on Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”. He wrote, “The song is often called ‘the battle hymn’ of the Reformation as it has been important to Lutherans and other Protestants for the last 500 years. As the authorities sought his life, a friend, Prince Frederick, hid him in Wartburg Castle. It was also likely in Wartburg Castle, which had become a ‘fortress’ of sorts for Luther, that he wrote the hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. It would seem that Luther’s faith in the castle walls paled in comparison to his trust in the fortress that was His God.” He continues, “Remember, Luther wrote this not for a soloist, but for singing in community as a corporate confession of faith.”
The heading for Psalm 60 in the NKJV is Urgent Prayer for the Restored Favor of God. The description of the Psalm is: “To the chief musician. Set to “Lily of the Testimony”. A Michtam of David for teaching, when he fought against Mesopotamia and Syria, and returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.” King David describes the Lord as setting a banner over Israel. “You have given a banner to those who fear You. That it may be displayed because of the truth.” (Psalm 60:4) At the end of the Psalm, David proclaims his trust in the Lord and the valor that is given to him in fighting his enemies. “Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.” (Psalm 60:11-12)
Our enemies may be men or the powers of darkness. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:13) In warfare, King David relies and trusts upon the Lord as his Mighty Fortress. “In You, O Lord, I put my trust. Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in your righteousness. Bow down your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock; therefore, for your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me. For you are my strength.” It is important for us to pray this prayer of David. I memorized Psalm 31:1-6 to do just that.
From Psalm 60, we know that David fought against pagan enemies of Mesopotamia, Syria, and the Edomites. But we also know of a spiritual warfare. “Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people. Go number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number to me that I may know it…Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israel had one million one hundred thousand who drew the sword, and Judah had four hundred and seventy thousand who drew the sword. But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was an abomination to Joab. And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel.” (I Chronicles 21:1-7)
Being in the front line of spiritual warfare myself for over 40 years, I know that Satan seeks to devour us. “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” The Tempter continues his war to take us captive. We need our armor for warfare against his wiles. “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” We also can count on our God to be a mighty fortress. It would behoove all of us to be able to sing the hymn A Mighty Fortress is our God in adversity, temptation, tribulation, as a weapon of warfare. “For the weapons of warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” (II Corinthians 10:4)
Below is a portion of the lyrics:
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!
Where the Grace Blows,