"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Col. 3:16
One hymn we sang together was A Mighty Fortress is Our God…
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevaling.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
OK really, do you know what a ‘bulwark’ is? The dictionary definition is “a solid wall-like structure raised for defense” (also breakwater or seawall). A bulwark is a structure of protection, keeping out dangers both human (an enemy) and natural (seawater). Such structures can be built created to make a city where one is not possible (after all, parts of New Orleans are below sea level!). Yet danger lurks as one only has to remember the destruction that followed Katrina when the man-made bulwarks and dykes gave way. But our God is a bulwark that NEVER fails!
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;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
God’s offensive weapon? His Son Christ Jesus! Jesus, the “Lord of the Sabbath” is the one who will prevail and win. In the end, HE WINS!
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.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thru 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.
The final two verses focus upon ‘one little word’… a word that takes out Satan himself! God’s word is God’s Word, the Son. The message and the messenger are One!
"I have given them Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." John 17:14
The Word of God is our defense, protecting us from the world, and our offense, who in the end wins! Pray that though you are in the world, that you will be more in the Word!
"He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark." Psa. 91:4
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