A Mighty Fortress is Our God

As we often say at Faith Fellowship, songs are like sermons that you won’t forget by Sunday afternoon. That is why we want to let you know about a wide range of songs that we hope will stir your affections for Christ and encourage you throughout the week.

VERSE 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 woe
His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal

VERSE 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
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He
The Lord of hosts His name, from age to age the same
And He must win the battle

VERSE 3
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

VERSE 4
That word above all earthly pow’rs, 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
The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever.

It was Connie Dever who wrote the modern refrain in recent years and John Fawcett who wrote the original lyrics in 1772 when he chose to remain as pastor to his small country church in Yorkshire instead of taking the position at the larger, more influential Carter’s Lane Baptist Church in London.

In his book Singers and Songs of the Church , Josiah Miller writes, “The farewell sermon was preached, the wagons were loaded, when love and tears prevailed, and Dr. Fawcett sacrificed the attraction of a London pulpit to the affection of his poor but devoted flock.”

Fawcett chose to stay with his church and continue to point their affections toward Jesus. Perhaps he chose this path because he knew from experience that in affliction and suffering it was Jesus, not fame and recognition, who gives strength for every day.

Consider meditating on these verses today.

Whatever affliction you are going through right now, the battle you are fighting may be fierce but remember that Jesus has won the victory at the cross. The cross, and the cross alone, is your only hope.

God has promised to supply all that you need today and every day.

So sing with joy afflicted one.