A Mighty Fortress is our God

Excerpted from Jesus Freaks, a best-selling collection of worldwide testimonies targeting teens with the life-changing message of the persecuted Church.

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And though this world, with devils filled, 
should threaten to undo us;
We will no 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, 
Our little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, 
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.

                          Verses 3 and 4
                          Hymn by Martin Luther
                          Father of the Reformation
                          Tried for heresy, 1521
                          1483-1546

Praising God, whether in psalms, in hymns, or in spiritual songs, gives tremendous strength to the believer. This hymn, written by a Jesus Freak in the 1500s, has helped Christians for centuries.

Martin Luther, the father of the Reformation, learned from the Bible that God saves men by His grace and that man cannot save himself through his own effort. After receiving this revelation, he developed his own theology, based completely on the Bible. This greatly angered the established church of that time, who called for his execution, but Luther evaded them.

At his trial, corrupt church leaders tried to get him to recant, but he refused, saying:

Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reasons – I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.

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