Notes of Faith March 11, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
July 1, 2001
“A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD”
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change. And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
The battle was growing hot and heavy as Martin Luther sat down and penned the words, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.” Then in verse 7, “The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.”
The battle we in the Christian church face today is not unlike the battle the great reformer faced. Circumstances may be different, but the source is the same and the cause is the same. Satan has attempted to dethrone God in the lives of His people from day one.
Luther’s battle was quite up front and personal with certain high members of the Roman Catholic Church. He was given an ultimatum: give up or go down. Luther did neither - because he was a fighter. He took his licks and continued to preach the Word of God - more specifically, justification by faith. His persistence won out. We have his great song stating his philosophy of life.
What an encouragement he is to the church. When he was challenged to recant his stand, he boldly declared, “Here I stand. I can do no other.”
I’m wondering if we found ourselves in the same predicament as the reformer, could we say with conviction, “Here we stand. We can do no other.”
Our Christian young people face the same battle in public schools today. Let me challenge you, guys and gals, take your stand because God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Let’s take that stand in our neighborhoods and in our churches. Make this next week a week of standing up to be counted. God bless.
Love to you all
Pastor Charles Covington
Eph 6:12-18
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Matt 28:20
I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Rom 8:37-39
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Are you a believer in and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, there is nothing that can take you out of God’s hand. You are safe and secure for all eternity because you are not the One in control of your destiny. God is! He is faithful! His promises are true! We who believe in Jesus are on the winning side. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!
Pastor Dale