Edward Roy Hindman

West Point, 1949

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Susan Lee Hindman on December 23, 2011:

My Dad LTC Edward Roy Hindman, Sr., U.S. Army, Retired, who is now a Christian believer in heaven, I am sure sang and was familiar with the old Church hymn called A Mighty Fortress is Our God. It has been called "the greatest hymn of the greatest man of the greatest period of German history" and the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation." The great Lutheran Church reformer and former priest Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 - February 18, 1546) wrote the words and composed the melody somewhere between 1527 and 1529. In German it is called Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott and was translated from German to English by Frederic H. Hedge in 1853. The words of this hymn are a paraphrase of Psalm 46 which says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah." Martin Luther received a Biblical revelation and then exhorted people to walk and live by faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as found in the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk 2:4, "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. " Romans 1:17 says, "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Hebrews 10:38 says "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of Gods own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: Gods truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever. Amen and Amen!!! We are so very blessed to live in America where we can freely call ourselves Christians and enjoy the liberties of a Christian Nation whose origin and foundations are on The Holy Bible!!! Psalm 33:12 says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." I wish you a very blessed and joyous Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!! With much love in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forever, Susan Lee Hindman Christian Daughter and Soldier of the Cross and Administrative Assistant to the Principal Director for Enterprise Services Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Office of the Secretary of Defense U.S. Department of Defense The Pentagon Room 3C852A (703) 697-7448 direct telephone number Email: susan.hindman@osd.mil

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