Today is Reformation Day, the day we celebrate Martin Luther’s nailing his 95 theses to the door of the palace church in Wittenberg, Germany. It was done on this date in 1517. He didn’t intend to spark a reformation of the church, only to address some serious wrongs in the Roman Catholic church of his day. But as a former Roman Catholic who has become a born again believer, I’m grateful that Luther did spark that revolution.
It seems to me ironic and interesting that Halloween & Reformation Day are celebrated on the same day. Halloween has in recent times morphed into a celebration of the occult, witchcraft and all that is dark. Reformation Day celebrates the courageous action of Martin Luther, one who is said to have battled demons throughout his life, and the author of one of my favorite hymnsA Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
We sang that song at the end of today’s sermon. It’s a great reminder to us as Christians that we have nothing to fear from anything of the devil. “One little word shall fell him.”
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.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 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.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.
Years ago that song was featured in a drama put on by our church, and was sung by a guy with a fantastic baritone voice, at a much slower tempo than is typically used for the song. Every time I think of A Mighty Fortress I hear his voice.
Tags: luther, reformation