Prayer
Heavenly Father, on this day of deep memory, we ask for your presence. In a world defined by conflict and change, be our unshakeable place of safety. Give us the strength to remember the sacrifices of the past and the faith to face the challenges of the present. Amen.
Scripture Focus
Psalm 46:1 (KJV) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
A Word from Dr. Martin Luther
“The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.” [^1] — Dr. Martin Luther
Reflection
On this quiet day of remembrance, we pause to honour the courage and the lasting example of those who served and those who fell. We turn to the strong and timeless hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
Martin Luther’s powerful song, based on Psalm 46, speaks not just of strength, but of a solid foundation in a troubled world. On a day dedicated to remembering the high costs of war, the word ‘fortress’ has two deep meanings.
Two Meanings of “Fortress”
Martin Luther’s hymn, drawn from Psalm 46, reminds us of a deeper kind of protection. On Remembrance Day, the word fortress carries two meanings:
- Human defenses: trenches, battle lines, and walls—often broken by violence and fear.
- Spiritual refuge: a mighty, eternal defense that stands firm when all else falls.
Those who served faced the chaos of war and the darkness it brings. They showed great courage, but the hymn reminds us:
The Fortress in Daily Life
For those in this campus of care, the idea of a Mighty Fortress feels close to home.
- You’ve lived through global wars and personal battles.
- You now face aging, illness, and sometimes loneliness.
- You rely on care and support—but this hymn offers something more.
The Fortress is God’s enduring love. It’s a promise that even when memory fades or the world shifts, your spirit has a safe place. A place that cannot be shaken.
We recall the human defenses: the trenches, the battle lines, and the walls that were often quickly broken by violence. We remember the high price paid when these defenses fell, and the fear that those who fought had to carry.
But the hymn tells us to look higher than any human wall. It speaks of a Fortress that is not just strong, but mighty—a defense that is eternal. When our service members faced the chaos of conflict, they stood against “the old evil foe,” the darkness that war represents. They used their human courage, but the hymn reminds us that the ultimate victory belongs to a greater power.
The very second verse confronts us: “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.” This doesn’t lessen the bravery of those we honour; it is simply a spiritual truth. It acknowledges that human strength alone was not enough to prevent the terrible costs we recall. We are here to seek a peace greater than what treaties and military might can secure.
The Fortress in Our Daily Lives
The idea of a Mighty Fortress takes on a very personal and present meaning.
You have lived through historical wars and faced the major challenges of a changing world. Now, you face the daily battles of aging, health concerns, and often, loneliness. Life can sometimes feel like a struggle against the tide. We rely on care and support, but this hymn offers a higher, personal hope. The Fortress is the promise that no matter what your body forgets, or how much the world shifts around you, your spirit has an unshakeable place of safety in God’s enduring love.
Today, we find comfort in this promise: that in the midst of memory, grief, and the ongoing problems of the world, this Fortress stands firm. It gives meaning to the sacrifices made, assuring us that justice and peace will ultimately come.
Call to Action
How can you ground yourself in the Fortress today?
- Pray: Take a moment to pray for peace for yourself and for the world.
- Connect: Share a memory of a loved one who served, or simply thank a caregiver or veteran for their service and support.
- Rest: Find strength and rest in the promise that God is your ultimate refuge.
As we sing these words, let them be a strong statement of faith against despair, and a quiet prayer for peace that might touch every heart.
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Written by Martin Luther, 1527-1529 Original German: “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” English translation composite (Frederick H. Hedge, Thomas Carlyle, others)
Verse 1 A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from every need That has us now o’ertaken. The old evil foe Now means deadly woe; Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight; On earth is not his equal.
Verse 2 With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected; But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected. You ask, “Who is this?” Jesus Christ it is, The almighty Lord. And there’s no other God; He holds the field forever.
Verse 3 Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpower us. This world’s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him.
Verse 4 The Word they still shall let remain, And not a word of thanks have for it; He’s by our side upon the plain, With His good gifts and Spirit. And do they take our life, Goods, honor, children, wife— Though these all be gone, Our vict’ry has been won; The Kingdom ours remaineth!
Note: This is a composite translation combining the work of Frederick H. Hedge (1853), Thomas Carlyle, and others. The hymn is in the public domain.
YouTube Link: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Lest we forget.
Let us Pray:
O God, our refuge and strength,
On this day of remembrance, we thank You for those who gave their lives in service and for those who still carry the weight of war. Be our Fortress in times of grief, our Shelter in seasons of change, and our Peace in the midst of uncertainty. Help us to trust not in our own strength, but in Yours. May Your truth endure, and may Your kingdom of justice and love come ever closer. Amen.
Footnotes
[^1]: A paraphrase from the final verse of the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott).