Battle Hymn Of The Reformation

Battle Hymn Of Refornation

Have you heard of Martin Luther? A man who called for a reform, not of man but of God’s. Can one man change the world? Can God use a man to change an entire world? Yes, it is possible. Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk whom God used to disrupt a way of life in his generation and challenged others not to conform to a norm but to seek God above that norm. Are we willing to rise up and be counted as different? Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone when God calls? Or will we rather keep our seats cozy and warm in church Sundays after Sundays and never experience a touch of God that transforms our lives? Something to think about while we focus on the life of Martin Luther and the story behind the great hymn he wrote also known as the ‘Battle hymn of the reformation’ – A Mighty Fortress is our God.

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A Mighty Fortress is our God

(1) 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 woes

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.

Doth 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 unto 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 fall him.

 

(4) That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also-

They body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still:

His kingdom is forever.

The Story Behind ‘Battle Hymn Of The Reformation’

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Martin Luther (His life & Bio)

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany. That date was sometimes called the “4th of July of Protestantism.” It symbolized the start of the Protestant Reformation.

And the single most powerful hymn of the Protestant Reformation Movement was Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” based on Psalm 46. This hymn became the battle cry of the people, a great source of strength and inspiration even for those who martyred for their convictions. Its majestic and thunderous proclamation of our faith is a singing symbol of the reformation.

Inspired by Psalm 46, Luther caught up in the hymn the very essence of faith, and the fervor and flavor of patriotism which he found in the Psalm.

This hymn was translated into practically every known language and regarded as one of the noblest and most classic examples of Christian hymnody.

The first line of this national hymn of Protestant Germany is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of the great reformer at Wittenberg,

Luther had strong convictions about the use and power of sacred music.  Once he wrote, “I would allow no man to preach or teach God’s people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRJHKzU_t1M&feature=related

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/a-mighty-fortress-is-our-god-richard-jumper-sermon-on-descriptions-of-god-79466.asp