Share This Episode
This broadcaster has 1378 podcast archives available on-demand.
Keep up-to-date with this broadcaster on social media and their website.
November 25, 2020 7:00 pm
In the seventeenth century, Martin Rinkart served as a clergyman in Saxony, Germany, for more than thirty years during times of war and plague. One year he conducted over 4,000 funerals, including for his wife, and at times food was so scarce that his family went hungry. Although he could have despaired, his faith in God remained strong and he gave thanks continually. In fact, he poured his gratitude into “Nun danket alle Gott,” the song that became the well-loved English hymn, “Now Thank We All Our God.”
Rinkart followed the example of the prophet Isaiah, who instructed God’s people to give thanks at all times, including when they had disappointed God (Isaiah 12:1) or when enemies oppressed them. Even then they were to exalt God’s name, making “known among the nations what he has done” (v. 4).
We might give thanks easily during harvest celebrations such as Thanksgiving, when we’re enjoying an abundant feast with friends and family. But can we express our gratitude to God in difficult times, such as when we’re missing someone from our table or when we’re struggling with our finances or when we’re locked in conflict with one close to us?
Let’s echo Pastor Rinkart, joining hearts and voices as we give praise and thanks to “the eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore.” We can “sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things” (v. 5).
Welcome to encouragement from today's reading titled giving thanks always shape in the 17th century, Martin Wingert served as a clergyman in Saxony, Germany for more than 30 years during times of war and plague. One year he conducted more than 4000 funerals, including his wife's, and at times was so scarce that his family went hungry although he could have despaired his faith in God remain strong and he gave thanks continually. In fact, he poured his gratitude into noon docket. Ali got the song that became the well loved English him now thank we all our God. Wingert followed the example of the prophet Isaiah, who instructed God's people to give thanks at all times, including when they disappointed God or when enemies oppressed them even then they were to exalt God's name making known among the nations.
What he has done, we might give thanks easily during harvest celebration such as Thanksgiving when were enjoying an abundant feast with friends and family but can we express our gratitude to God and difficult times such as when were missing someone from our table or when we are struggling with our finances when we are locked in conflict with one close to us. Let's echo Pastor Rinker joining hearts and voices as we give praise and thanks to the eternal God, earth and heaven adore we can sing to the Lord for he has done glorious things.
Today Our Daily Bread devotional Scripture reading is from Isaiah chapter 12 verses one through six. I will praise you Lord. Although you are angry with me your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Shirley God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, to the Lord himself is my strength and my defense.
He has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation in that day you will say give praise to the Lord proclaim his name, make known among the nations. What he has done and proclaimed that his name is exalted sing to the Lord for he has done glorious things. Let this be known to all the world shout aloud and sing for joy people of Zion, for great is the holy one of Israel among you. Let's pray father God, thank you for being faithful and for the ways in which you show yourself even and dark and difficult times.
In these times, please lift our eyes up to you and remind us that you are still there and working on our behalf. Even if we can't see how they would always give you thanks and praise, trusting that the outcomes are in your hands. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread ministries
