A Secure Fortress

Because we live on this earth we will find times and days and seasons when even the most strong hearted may tremble.  The god of this world is not dead nor has he yet been cast into the fiery pit.  He grabs the reins of kings and governments, of movements and causes, of circumstances and disasters of his own making and he hurls them into cyclones of fury against God’s people.  In the early 1960’s both Bible reading and prayer were banned from schools.  Who was behind that?  It was some liberal thinking, God denying anti-Christs who had, through the agency of the god of this world, made their way to the United States Supreme Court.  Ten years later that same court declared murder was good and right.  Again we see that the “thief” (Jn. 10:10) had had his way.  He comes to steal and to kill and to destroy.  Since that time we have seen immorality spew forth like lava from a volcano and grow like a mountain in the midst of our land. 

Political leaders have learned to use the name of Christ to their advantage over the spiritually ignorant. Luther’s Large Catechism has much to say about the fate of those who thus profane the holy name of God.  He further declares that whole nations suffer disaster upon disaster while such blasphemy reigns in the land.  God said that He will not let go unpunished those who take His Name in vain.  That would apply to those who applaud its abuse as well. 

Such trying times are not new.  The Apostles experienced them in their day.  Luther and the Reformers experienced them in their day and until Jesus comes back mankind will continue to experience them again and again.  Satan has found an effective methodology to discourage mankind and bring vilification on those who speak the truth about the condition of the age. 

So what is the secure refuge?  It is Christ.  It is also His word.  His word conveys to us the greatness of His care and promises in troubling times.  It assures us that God has not forgotten His own.  It promises us eternal victory when temporal turmoil is rampant.  This is so sure that all the Scripture testifies to it.  In his great hymn, “A Might Fortress”, Martin Luther speaks of it in the final stanza.  (There are over 80 different translations of the original German for this hymn.  This is one of them.)  The Word is true, and it is our fortress. 

God’s Word forever shall abide, no thanks to foes who fear it.

For God Himself fights at our side, with weapons of the Spirit.

Were they to take our home, goods, honor, child or spouse, though life be wrenched away

They cannot win the day; the kingdom’s ours forever.  

You can contact me and find inspiring Christian books at my website: www.davidccraig.net

You may also find some of my selected daily devotions at http://blog.febc.org/

You may also enjoy my new Gospel dog blog, The Gospel According to Molly Blog and my new Alzheimer’s blog, “Taking Care of Joe: An Alzheimer’s Blog” found on my website.