For weeks now the news shows and bloggers have had a field day with Rep. Joe Wilson (R.-S.C.) Earlier this month, as he and other congressional reps were listening to Pres. Obama speak on health care, he shouted out, “You lie.” He has since apologized to the White House, if only once. Though lambasted by most who feel the need to comment, his name recognition has shot up and so have contributions to his campaign fund. I will spare you (at least for now) my views on health care reform.
Back to Rep. Wilson in a moment. A couple days ago I heard an insight into what is probably the most famous hymn in all of Protestantism; Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It is a stirring description of spiritual warfare between Christ and the demons of hell. After painting a rather daunting picture of the terrible rage and power of the devil, Luther ended verse three with the encouraging but cryptic line, “One little word can fell him.”
Worshipers have sung that line for over four centuries and probably gotten the sense of it as they power into verse four. But those who pause there might have asked themselves, “So what is the little word? Do I need to know this little word?” Over the years I have heard some interesting theories about what that little word might be. Perhaps—Christ. Five letters. Satan’s worst nightmare and conqueror. Makes perfect sense to me. Another: tetelestai (Greek for “It is finished,” Jesus’ triumphant words from the cross.) I like that, too. Or maybe Luther just meant that one little word from the Word could fell Satan (i.e. any word).
In a devotional presentation on the powerful poetry of the hymn, a musical historian cited a quote from Luther himself, writing in 1541near the end of his life. He gave his own explanation of what he had meant by the “little word.” Perhaps on the basis of passages like James 4:7, Luther exulted that even such a lowly sinner as he could smite the devil with the rebuke, “You liar!”
When Satan tempts you to think of yourself as a loser or a failure, as someone worthless, guilty, and ugly, just pull a Joe Wilson on him. “You lie!”
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Straight talk. Real hope.
9/25/2009 - Posted by RIS
Think of the faith that God gave to the mother of Moses. She made a basket for her baby, Moses. That basket and the watchful eye of his sister led to his being rescued. A baby who held future words from God in inspired scriptures from Moses work. Think of the baskets you have in a home and the words they can carry as you care for your children. Words are important.Write to adult children, read to younger children. Include words of real hope in Christ.
