It’s easy to get caught up in a couple of ideas that are
not true. The first is that our situation of lawlessness & turmoil hasn't happened before. But such conditions are nothing new. Human history is
filled with seasons like we’re facing.
The other idea is that God has nothing to do with the solutions
to the problems we’re facing.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) is known as a powerful Christian
reformer. But did you know that he also lived during a time of deep societal &
political upheaval? As a pastor & spiritual leader whose influence had
spread over a considerable geographical region, he recognized his responsibility
to guide & counsel the people he led to reconciliation & peace.
Luther was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. He
also acknowledged many of his mistakes. But with all his flaws, he got
one thing exactly right. It was expressed in this hymn.
We are in a similar time of upheaval. There are political
forces from all over the spectrum vying for power & influence. People are
resorting to violence, lawlessness, intimidation, & disinformation. Hate
abounds.
This is also a time of spiritual upheaval. Whatever you
believe about spiritual warfare, all serious Christians should be able to agree on
one thing – we are in the midst of it. We can also agree that unless we call on
the Lord as this hymn, we are headed for disaster.
Please take time over the next week to pray. Ask God to pour
His undeserved mercy & to heal our land. Pray for the Church to repent of our
sins, including apathy. Pray for those involved in the lawlessness &
expressions of hatred, & for those affected by them.
Our God IS our mighty fortress. Let’s take refuge in Him & bring many others under His protection!
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