"WE THANK OUR GOD!"

Psalm 100:1-3

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture."

The Thirty Years' War raged from 1618 to 1648, and was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. The war was fought primarily (though not exclusively) in Germany and at various points involved most of the countries of Europe.

During this terrible conflict Martin Rinkart, served as a Lutheran minister Eilenburg, Saxony. The walled city saw a steady stream of refugees pour through its gates. The Swedish army surrounded the city, and famine and plague were rampant. Eight hundred homes were destroyed, and the people began to perish.

There was a tremendous strain on the pastors who had to conduct dozens of funerals daily. Finally, the pastors, too began to succumb. Martin Rinkart was the only one left--doing as many as 50 funerals a day.

When the Swedes demanded a huge ransom, Rinkart left the safety of the walls to plead for mercy. The Swedish commander, impressed by his faith and courage, lowered his demands. Soon afterward, the Thirty Years' War ended, and Rinkart wrote this hymn for a grand celebration service. It is a testament to his faith that, after such misery, he was able to write a hymn of abiding trust and gratitude toward God.

"Now, Thank We All Our God"

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and
blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills,
in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to
God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns
with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, whom
earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

The next time we are tempted to feel discouraged by our problems and demands, just remember what others have gone through and still maintained the joy of the Lord in the midst of the storm.

- Pastor Cecil Thompson
www.daily-e-votional.com