Lauren Walking Towards the Castle Church

A Mighty Fortress

This powerful hymn was written in the 1500's by the great protestant reformer Martin Luther. Our family had the awesome privilege of visiting his hometown of Wittenburg, Germany a little over a year ago. It was incredibly moving to see the door where he nailed his 95 thesis stating that salvation is in Christ alone and not by works. We were able to go inside the Castle Church where he nailed that thesis and had a special time of family prayer at the alter. Martin Luther was actually buried there in the church as well. The church has a tall steeple with the words, "Ein' fest Burg ist unser Gott." Do you know what that says? A Mighty Fortress is our God! Luther is known for starting the protestant reformation but also for writing that majestic hymn based on Ps 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
This morning I was reading the hymn in my quiet time, and these are some of the lines that stood out to me:

"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."

Here are some pictures from our trip to Wittenburg:


We are standing outside the location where the thesis is said to have been nailed up on the door.

Matt and the children at the alter where we had family prayer inside the Castle Church