{"id":32,"date":"2006-10-31T13:34:05","date_gmt":"2006-10-31T19:34:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iamanoffering.com\/blog\/?p=32"},"modified":"2011-03-10T21:25:42","modified_gmt":"2011-03-11T03:25:42","slug":"loving-appreciating-heritage-of-hymns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iamanoffering.com\/blog\/loving-appreciating-heritage-of-hymns\/","title":{"rendered":"Loving and Appreciating the Heritage of Hymns"},"content":{"rendered":"

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”<\/em><\/strong>
\nPsalm 59:16<\/span><\/p>\n

While I really enjoy modern music and I am a big advocate of vertical songs (songs sung directly to God), there is a huge benefit to keeping the hymns of the church alive<\/strong>.\u00a0 Unfortunately, a lot of the language is hard to understand for new believers.\u00a0 So, on this Reformation Day, I thought it would be fitting to talk about Luther’s great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”<\/span><\/p>\n

A mighty fortress is our God,
\nA bulwark never failing;
\nOur helper He amid the flood.
\nOf mortal ills prevailing.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The word bulwark doesn’t seem to be used very often anymore;\u00a0dictionary.com’s second definition is this:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

2. any protection against external danger, injury, or annoyance<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

God is a fortress that cannot be shaken<\/strong>.\u00a0 A bulwark\u00a0is something that protects against attack, against flood, against outside influence.\u00a0 In the flood of the world’s teachings that come at us, God is our helper that can never be moved.<\/span><\/p>\n

For still our ancient foe
\nDoth seek to work us woe-
\nHis craft and pow’r are great,
\nAnd armed with cruel hate,
\nOn earth is not his equal.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8.\u00a0 Our ancient foe, the devil has great power.\u00a0 He has great cunning.\u00a0 He is a great deceiver.\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0especially hates those who live for Jesus and wants to crush us.\u00a0 Things sound kind of bleak don’t they?\u00a0 Not if we keep looking at the next verse:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Did we in our own strength confide,
\nOur striving would be losing,
\nWere not the right man on our side,
\nThe man of God’s own choosing.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If we trust in ourselves to defeat the devil; if we trust in our own strength to make it through our lives, we will lose.\u00a0 But we have the right Man on our side<\/strong>!!\u00a0 We have the Man God chose to be the power we need.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dost ask who that may be?
\nChrist Jesus, it is He
\nLord Sabaoth His name,
\nFrom age to age the same,
\nAnd He must win the battle.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You ask who it is that God chose?\u00a0 It is Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath, the Lord of Lords who is our fortress that cannot be shaken through the ages.\u00a0 And he will and must win the battle that we struggle with every day<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

And tho this world, with devils filled,
\nShould threaten to undo us,
\nWe will not fear, for God hath willed
\nhis truth to triumph thru us. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The prince of darkness grim,
\nWe tremble not for him
\nHis rage we can endure,
\nFor lo, his doom is sure:
\nOne little word shall fell him.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The world is full of the devil’s plans.\u00a0 But we have no need to fear, as long as God’s truth is living in us<\/strong>.\u00a0 We do not tremble for the devil, because that one little word, “Jesus,” will fell him.\u00a0 That name will cripple the devil every time.<\/span><\/p>\n

That word above all earthly pow’rs
\nNo thanks to them abideth;
\nThe spirit and the gifts are ours
\nThru Him who with us sideth.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Let goods and kindred go,
\nThis mortal life also
\nThe body they may kill;
\nGod’s truth abideth still:
\nHis kingdom is forever!<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That Word, Jesus Christ, is lifted above every power on earth, and He abides forever<\/strong>.\u00a0 God’s spirit and the gifts of God are ours through Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Therefore, we declare that things of this world are worth nothing compared to knowing Him.\u00a0 His truth is the fortress that cannot be shaking, and His kingdom is a kingdom that will last for eternity!<\/span><\/p>\n

I praise God that He has given us words such as these that have lived on through the centuries.\u00a0 And I encourage you, the next time you don’t understand a hymn, a Bible passage, look for help!\u00a0\u00a0Ask someone about it.\u00a0 I know that there are many people who\u00a0would be\u00a0more than willing to explain it to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s your favorite hymn?<\/strong><\/p>\n