Notes of Faith November 24, 2022
Now Thank We All Our God
An old English preacher once said, “A grateful mind is a great mind,” and the Bible agrees. There are 138 passages of Scripture on the subject of thanksgiving, and some of them are powerfully worded. Colossians 3:17 says:
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
First Thessalonians 5:18 adds,
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Unfortunately, few hymns are devoted exclusively to thanking God. Among the small, rich handful we do have is “Now Thank We All Our God.” The German Christians sing this hymn like American believers sing the “Doxology,” yet it’s loved on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world.
It was written by Martin Rinkart (1586–1649), a Lutheran pastor in the little village of Eilenberg, Saxony. He grew up as the son of a poor coppersmith, felt called to the ministry, and after his theological training began his pastoral work just as the Thirty Years’ War was raging through Germany.
Floods of refugees streamed into the walled city of Eilenberg. It was the most desperate of times. The Swedish army encompassed the city gates, and inside the walls there was nothing but plague, famine, and fear. Eight hundred homes were destroyed, and people began dying in increasing numbers. There was a tremendous strain on the pastors, who expended all their strength in preaching the gospel, caring for the sick and dying, and burying the dead. One after another, the pastors themselves took ill and perished until at last only Martin Rinkart was left. Some days he conducted as many as fifty funerals.
Finally, the Swedes demanded a huge ransom. It was Martin Rinkart who left the safety of the city walls to negotiate with the enemy, and he did it with such courage and faith that there was soon a conclusion of hostilities, and the period of suffering ended.
Rinkart, knowing there is no healing without thanksgiving, composed this hymn for the survivors of Eilenberg. It has been sung around the world ever since.
Now thank we all our God,
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom this world rejoices.
In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Why do you suppose 138 passages of Scripture are dedicated to thanksgiving?
The author of this hymn suffered through extremely dire circumstances. How do trials affect one’s ability to give thanks?
What are the three ways we give thanks cited in verse one?
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:18 say about gratitude?
Almighty God in Trinity, from all my heart be thanks to Thee for Thy good deed, that Thou me wrought, and with Thy precious blood me bought, and for all good Thou lendst to me, O Lord God, blessed may Thou be! All honour, joy and all loving be to Thy name without ending. Amen. —Richard Rolle (c. 1300–1349)
Excerpted from Then Sings My Soul Prayer Journal by Robert Morgan, copyright Robert J. Morgan.
Today, a day celebrated with food, family and friends, while giving thanks to God for all that we are and have, should be the heart attitude of every day of the year! God is good all the time, and all the time God is good! Personally, we are giving thanks for a first reunion, 31 family members together, four generations, blessed beyond belief. May God give you joy and blessing today and may we recognize all that God gives us each day, even in trial and suffering may we find the peace and joy of Christ and His provision for all eternity!
Pastor Dale