The Mighty Fortress: Our True Refuge

Death. Plague. Illness. 

Temptation. Anxiety. Tragedy. 

One of Christendom’s best-loved hymns was likely born out of a season of heavy trial. Though the exact details surrounding the writing of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” have been lost to history, scholars believe that Luther penned his most-famous hymn sometime during the years 1527–28, a period that brought wave after wave of trial. 

During this season, the great Reformer experienced the martyrdom of one of his mentors, the outbreak of plague, his own illness, grave spiritual affliction, and the death of his baby daughter (among other trials).¹ However, while sorrows like sea billows were rolling over him, Luther found strength in the Lord and authored this beloved hymn. 

While we could dive deep into every theologically rich lyric, let’s consider just the first line together. Whether you’re experiencing the valley of deepest darkness like Luther or you’re walking in a plateau of sunshine, I know that your heart will be encouraged by fixing your gaze on our Rock of Refuge.

Fortress 

Let’s first consider the metaphor of the fortress. The online Cambridge dictionary defines fortress as “a large strong building, or group of buildings, that can be defended from attack.”² Soldiers might fight from the fortress or seek asylum in the fortress while under siege. Either way, the whole point of the fortress is protection. It’s basically a shield that you enter. 

Luther borrowed this apt metaphor from Scripture, likely Psalm 46: 

God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found 
in times of trouble. (v. 1)

While this metaphor for God’s protection is probably not new to you, consider for a moment what shape your refuge is in. Is it dusty and dilapidated? Is it a place you used to visit in your youth that you could probably find again if you had to? Have you “upgraded” to a “new-and-improved” model, more on par with what the rest of the neighborhood uses? 

If we’re honest, we often seek protective shelter in a lot of places other than the God of our salvation. Sometimes we run to another person, expecting them to provide the comfort and strength that can really only come from one Source (2 Cor. 1:3). Or maybe you’re more tempted to find solace in your own abilities. You don’t need anyone else to help you. Self-reliance is working pretty well. Others will just let you down—including God! 

Or maybe you find refuge in the safety net of your bank account or your work. On the other hand, you might prefer escaping your troubles altogether, so you turn to food, retail therapy, television, social media, books, or medications to try and numb the pain. 

While the title of the hymn may be “A Mighty Fortress,” may I humbly propose it could more accurately be called “The Mighty Fortress.” There really is only one. No other fortress will provide the type of defense against the enemy’s onslaught of both trials and temptations. Satan gleefully welcomes you into one of the pseudo-fortresses, for he knows that your vulnerability only increases when you think you’re safe. Instead, run to the Rock of Ages for protection against attack.

Mighty

I’ve had the opportunity to walk on the Great Wall of China, a defensive wonder. Though centuries old, the wall still stands (in most places) as a picture of strength. It’s hard to imagine any ancient enemy having the capability to cross China’s border with a huge stone wall in the way. It truly was a “mighty” protective barrier. While the years and vastly improved military technology have diminished the strength of China’s Great Wall, nothing can ever decrease the fortitude of our “mighty fortress.” 

Psalm 46 again gives a vivid picture of the sheer strength of our refuge: 

God is within her; she will not be toppled.
God will help her when the morning dawns.
Nations rage, kingdoms topple;
the earth melts when he lifts his voice. (vv. 5–6)

When God is your fortress, you cannot be toppled. Nothing can destroy you—not even the unmitigated horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. I’m often mystified at the stark contrast between the stories of two survivors of this devilish period of history. On one hand, Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel tells his story of incarceration and downward spiral into hopelessness in his bestselling memoir, Night. While reading about the atrocities of his suffering is sobering and painful, the worst part is watching his hardening against God. 

Contrast that with the story of Corrie and Betsie ten Boom as recorded in Corrie’s memoir, The Hiding Place. Both women experienced cruelty and sadism at the hands of the Third Reich, yet they were not toppled. Their mighty fortress held fast. Though Betsie lost her life, she received an even greater reward.

Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. (2 Corinthians 4:16–17)

Our mighty fortress may seem weak and foolish to the world, but it provides protection beyond anything they could think or imagine. 

Is

I suppose only an English teacher would write an entire section on a present-tense state-of-being verb. 

Guilty. 

But consider the hope found in this overlookable two-letter word. It means that there’s no expiration date on God as our mighty refuge. The same God in whom Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, Elijah, and Daniel took refuge also sheltered Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jim Elliot, Corrie and Betsie ten Boom, and countless other “faithful witnesses.” You and I can take refuge there as well. 

God was, is, and always will be our mighty fortress. His strength never decreases; His protection never wanes; His willingness never abates; and His effectiveness never ebbs. He is the mighty fortress. Take refuge in Him today. And tomorrow. And forever. 

Our 

Why would Martin Luther choose to say that “our” God is a mighty fortress? Why not make it more personal and say “my”? Certainly, he could have done so and not lost a whit of theological correctness. 

However, by choosing a plural possessive rather than a singular one, he communicates an important truth: we don’t have to run to the refuge alone. While finding refuge in other people will prove no stronger than a house of straw, finding refuge with others will help provide hope, perspective, and strength.

Take others into the fortress with you. Lead the way—or follow them in. You don’t have to limp there all by yourself. Our impenetrable Refuge has room for all who seek Him. 

Forever Our Fortress

“A mighty fortress is our God.” This incredible sentence, though only a part of Luther’s poetic opus, reminds us that all other fortresses to which we may turn will ultimately disappoint. Only El Shaddai—God Almighty—provides the strength we need when we walk through the valley of deepest darkness. 

¹ Dr. Albert B. Collver, “A Mighty Fortress,” Lutheran Reformation, October 1, 2015, https://lutheranreformation.org/history/a-mighty-fortress/.

² “Fortress,” Cambridge Dictionary, Accessed September 17, 2025, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/fortress#google_vignette.

Fortitude is courage in the face of pain, strength in the midst of adversity, and the ability to persevere under pressure. The kind of grit we need to follow Jesus doesn’t come from willpower or inner strength, but from the grace of God poured out in our lives. Join us now through September 30 for Endure: A 40-Day Fortitude Challenge, during which you’ll be invited to depend upon Christ for everything and to cultivate the confidence, clarity, calm, community, and courage required to stand firm in the storms of life.                                                          Join the 40-day challenge today.