Sing Away the Devil - A
Mighty Fortress is our God
185 years ago; February 25, 1838, this parish; Zion Friedheim
Lutheran Church was chartered to become the first Christian congregation in
Adams County. From humble beginnings of 56 souls, we have grown to just over
600 persons to become a 21st Century Parish with a 1st
Century faith. Here we find a house of peace and a harbor of hope in troubled
times.
The hymn of the day for this, the first Sunday in the season
of Lent is Luther’s battle hymn “A Mighty Fortress.” It is an
appropriate hymn for this season as it deals with Satan, temptation, and sin.
In 1 Samuel 16:23 we are told that David used music to drive
the devil out of Saul.
And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David
took the lyre and played it with his hand. So, Saul was refreshed and was well,
and the harmful spirit departed from him.
Today we see the devil flee when this hymn is sung with
earnestness and conviction.
Stanza 1 – Our deadly foe
Luther begins with these words, “A Mighty Fortress is our
God, a trusty shield and weapon.”
Our enemy, “our deadly foe” desires destruction. He “means
deadly woe,” “deep guile and great might are his dread arms in fight, on
earth is naught his equal.”
By your own reason or strength, you cannot resist him. There is none his equal. When it comes to what is shameful, and disgusting Satan has cornered the market. We sing together stanza one.
He helps us free from ev'ry need
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil foe
Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.
A trusty shield and weapon;
Stanza 2 – Our Advocate in the
fight
The Father sent His Son Jesus into this world for one purpose
only. Christ Jesus entered time and space to suffer, die and rise again for
you. He is your advocate. He fights for you in your battles over the devil,
flesh, and sin. He is “the valiant one. Whom God Himself elected.”
At the cross Christ won for you salvation and life. He
defeated the devil soundly and successfully and continue to fight for you. He
can never be overtaken by the evil of this world. “He holds the field
forever.”
Yesterday, residents all over the commonwealth of Indiana
gathered around televisions sets and various and sundry devices to cheer on
their Boilermakers and Hoosiers. Rivalries in sports are epic!
But when it comes to the Savior there is no rivalry. There is
not even any competition. Christ is the Victor. Satan has no equal. When you
battle against sin and temptation the mere mentioning of His name, Jesus, sends
the devil running! We sing stanza two.
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is,
Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there's none other God;
He holds the field forever.
Stanza 3 – Our Secret weapon
When allied forces were threatened with scud missals during
the Persians Gulf War they answered with a missal of their own; the Patriot,
which knocked the scud out of the sky.
To help you in your battles with the devil, the flesh and
sin, the LORD has given you His Word. “God’s Word is our great heritage…”
we are reminded. “Through life it guides our way, in death it is our stay.”
Christ and His Word will keep you safe throughout your stay on this earth.
Through our congregation’s rich history Christ and the
promises found in His Word have kept you safe.
You are kept sound from the assaults of the devil because Christ remains
with you.
This place is truly a home of peace and a harbor of hope for
troubled souls because Christ is the one who sustains you. Your secret weapon
which you can use in your battles with the devil is the ever presence of Christ
as He comes to you in Word and Sacrament to forgive your sins, increase your
faith and give you hope and confidence of living with Him who has save you in
this life and also in the world which is to come. In confidence we sing stanza three,
All eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill;
They shall not overpow'r us.
This world's prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none.
He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
Stanza 4 – Our ultimate
victory
Job reminds us, “naked I was born into this world and
naked I will go.”
We enter this world with nothing. We leave with nothing. What
we receive between birth and death is all gift. We have been a blessed people
these past 185 years. As we recall these blessings, we are assured they will
continue.
Our ultimate victory is to be with Christ in glory. As He has
forgiven you now, we have the assurance that he will receive us into His
kingdom when our last hour comes. Everything 3e have can be taken away. But it
can not rob us of our ultimate goal, which is to be with the Savior in glory.
Today may all the credit and glory go to God who has blessed us in the past and
will continue to direct us in the future. We sing stanza 4.
Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone,
Our vict'ry has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Passive Sentences – 15%
Readability –78.7%
Reading Level – 5.0
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