Saturday’s Verse:
From Psalm 46:1 ESV
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Martin Luther wrote the hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” about God's might. Not about us and how strong we are.
Life will test us. Sin will surround us. The devil will tempt us. The world will try to lead us away from God. We can only look so far at ourselves before we realize how powerless we are.
That's why Luther tells us that we have someone who will fight these battles for us.
"With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected." But then he goes on to tell us who our great champion is. Jesus.
This is what the Reformation was about.
We are not saved by our good works. By our deeds. By our attempts to be good enough for God. We are saved by Jesus, who has conquered sin, death, and the devil.
God has built the mighty fortress in which we can take refuge. Not us.
God will never leave us in a time of trouble. He will always provide us with His grace. Jesus Christ is our mighty fortress.
Remember this on Reformation Day: We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone.
Our mighty fortress is still here today.
Today’s Prayers
Almighty Father, we give You thanks for the Gospel. We also thank You for the Reformation and the sainted Martin Luther. Help us not to trust in ourselves, but to trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Give us strength through Your Word. Jesus Christ is our refuge and strength. In His name we pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Image above was created by Gemini (gemini.google.com).