CrossTalk: Modern Meditations on a Reformation Hymn

In honor of Reformation Day (October 31), I want to introduce you to my favorite hymn. It was written by Martin Luther exactly 500 years ago. Although it rarely appears in modern hymnals, it describes a spiritual struggle that is strangely contemporary. 

The hymn begins as a plaintive prayer:

O Lord, look down from heaven, behold

And let Thy pity waken.

How few are we within Thy Fold,

Thy saints by men forsaken!

True faith seems quenched on every hand,

Men suffer not Thy Word to stand;

Dark times have us o'ertaken.

The faithful Church of God has never been large and overpowering. Enemies of God—both outside and inside its walls—are constantly undermining the pure and clear Word of God. They simply will not allow God’s Word to stand. And that brings great darkness.

The second stanza elaborates on the many ways that God’s Word is twisted.

With fraud which they themselves invent

Thy truth they have confounded [i.e. confused];

Their hearts are not with one consent

On Thy pure doctrine grounded.

While they parade with outward show,

They lead the people to and fro,

In error's maze astounded.

Today, too, we are hard-pressed by lies, errors and confusion. We seem helpless against them. But we can confidently turn to God. 

May God root out all heresy

And of false teachers rid us

Who proudly say: “Now, where is he

That shall our speech forbid us?

By right or might we shall prevail;

What we determine cannot fail;

We own no lord and master.”

The pride of God’s enemies is frightening. Often, it seems that it has no boundaries and that nothing can stop it. But God always responds to the prayers of His people. Stanza four speaks of God’s answer to prayer. 

Therefore saith God, “I must arise,

The poor My help are needing;

To Me ascend My people's cries,

And I have heard their pleading.

For them My saving Word shall fight

And fearlessly and sharply smite,

The poor with might defending.”

God will hear your prayers, today, just as surely as He did five centuries ago. As the Bible says, “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV). It’s power is not a threat, but a comfort to the poor in Spirit. 

Not only that, but the struggle itself is used by God for your good! We should always thank God even for the trials that He gives us. Because through cross and trials, He grants His blessing.

As silver tried by fire is pure

From all adulteration,

So through God's Word shall men endure

Each trial and temptation.

Its light beams brighter through the cross,

And, purified from human dross,

It shines through every nation.

That fifth stanza is my personal favorite. It reminds us that not only will God protect His faithful people in trials, they will also be better for having them.

As Charles Spurgeon purportedly said, “The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.” So, stanza six of this beautiful hymn turns the battle over to God, and rests in His mighty hand.

Thy truth defend, O God, and stay

This evil generation;

And from the error of their way

Keep Thine own congregation.

The wicked everywhere abound

And would Thy little flock confound;

But Thou art our Salvation.

Christ is our salvation. What more needs to be said? There is nothing and no one that can stop Him from saving you, as well. 

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35, 37).