Why haven't I seen it until now

I discovered today that A Mighty Fortress Is Our God is really a theological statement about what Martin Luther believed about spiritual warfare. How could I have missed this central theme of the song? So, I started to re-read the song and see new meaning.

I am going to post the lyrics here, with my thoughts and commentary on the song in italics

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
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.

Interesting here is the image of the flood in relation to spiritual warfare. That it feels that when we are tempted we are at best floating and at worst about to drown underneath the current of sin. Sin drowns us. Makes it so we cannot even breathe.

Also, it is important to note that "on earth is not his equal'" is talking about Satan. It does us no good to deny the power of the evil one. He is smarter and more powerful than any one of us in our human power. We must know the enemy is stronger than we give him credit for.

Note the dramatic tension as Luther paints the picture of the situation in this first verse.

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.

We cannot contend alone against the evil one and expect to win a victory. If we fight against spiritual powers on our own strength we will be overcome.

Thankfully, we have Jesus. As the last verse contends, it is only HE--THE LORD that can win the battle against the evil one.

Interesting to note as well is the name he gives to Jesus--Lord Sabboath. The verse starts with striving, but ends in resting. In giving up the task of overcoming evil to Jesus. It is he that needs to win the battle. We need to learn to trust in Jesus' grace and truth.

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.

God wants to triumph through us. One little word can fell the enemy, when spoken in faith.

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.

God has given us the strengths and gifts to overcome the enemy. But in order to be ready to make our stand with Jesus, we need to place Jesus higher than our need for financial or relational security. It may even mean our death, but God will use the faithful fight in the battle to build his kingdom.

POWERFUL STUFF