Greetings from Faith Lutheran Church in Eldorado.
Martin Luther's most famous hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," is about how God and his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is by our side in the fight that we have against Satan and all his minions.
Satan is God's enemy and, therefore, our enemy. Jesus says he is a murderer and liar. He has lust only for power -- power over God and all He created. Satan was a created angel who chose to rebel against God and fought against Him. He was defeated and he and the angels that followed him were cast out of heaven, never again to be restored. (Revelation 9)
Still diluted by his lust for power, Satan wished to overcome God though an attack on His creation by deceiving Eve and tempting Adam to sin. His temptation was the same as his lust -- to become God or at least His equal. He was cursed again and God did something that neither Satan or Adam and Eve expected. He made a promise in Gen 3:15 to send one to deliver them and crush the head of Satan.
"Ask who this may be? The Lord of host is He, Christ Jesus, mighty Lord." (Luther)
Through history, Satan attempted to stop Christ from being born. But like a master chess player, God knew, and still knows, every move, and "Christ holds the field forever." (Luther)
Satan may have thought victory was his in the crucifixion, but on the cross the ransom was paid (not to Satan, but the demands of the law) for us. And by His resurrection, death and Satan were defeated so that we may live in His kingdom.
St. Peter wrote that Satan is like a "roaring lion," seeking to destroy us. At birth, Satan claims us as his own because we enter this world with original sin inherited from Adam and Eve. If not rescued from his kingdom, a person would stay in sin and death. Yet through God's word of promise, God rescues us and brings us into His kingdom, even as a sinner passes through the waters of holy baptism.
Once freed in Christ, Satan still wishes to seduce us back into slavery. He threatens all that we have -- spouse, children, home and our very life. Yet, as Luther says, "Though hordes of devils fill the land all threating to devour us, we tremble not unmoved we stand; they cannot overpow'r us. God's word forever shall abide, no thanks to foes, who fear it; for God Himself fights by our side with weapons of the spirit. Were they to take our house, goods, honor, child or spouse. Though life be wrenched away, they cannot win the day. The kingdom's ours forever!" (Luther)
Satan is powerful, but Christ is all powerful. We dare not confront Satan alone; but with Christ by our side, we may laugh at him and sing his defeat as Luther does in his hymn. Therefore, tremble not!
