Our Fortress is God

Scripture: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Noel and I married in Colorado where Noel was working as an intern chaplain at the hospital where I worked.   When his internship was over we packed everything in our car and drove to Dubuque, Iowa.  There we settled into an old discarded, one room single officers quarters from World War 11.  The first night the seminary held a welcome back service.  I don't remember what the sermon was, but I will never forget the singing.  Forty to fifty male voices singing A Mighty Fortress is our God.  It was beautiful to the point of causing "goose bumps".

Though Martin Luther is usually thought of as the great Protestant Reformer, he was also a musician, having been born in an area of Germany known for its music.  He played the flute (recorder), worked with skilled musicians to create music for worship and  wrote hymns.  He wanted music to be a part of worshiping.   He wrote in the forward of a book, "Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.  It controls thoughts, mind and feelings.....A person who does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God... does not deserve to be called a human being."

Prayer:  Our Father, music really is next to the Word and we can't imagine  worship without it.  Thank you for inspiring our forefathers to write music which gives us a closer look at who you are and brings us closer to you, our mighty fortress in a very unsure and scary world. Amen.

Noel and Jane DeKalb                                noeldekalb@gmail