“Now Thank We All Our God...”

Text: “Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NASB) As Paul winds up his first letter to the church in Thessalonica he zips off several terse imperatives. Because of Christ Christians can rejoice always. Christians are urged to be faithful and diligent in prayer. Then, Paul says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (NLT). We should point out that Paul does not say we are to be thankful for every circumstance but that “in every circumstance (situation, whatever may happen or be going on) we are to be thankful.” And, he says that “This is God’s will or desire for you who are in Christ Jesus.”

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Introduction: The year was 1636 toward the end of the Thirty Years War, which was perhaps the worst war in the history of mankind in terms of the sheer number of deaths, ensuing epidemics and economic crises. A massive plague added thousands to the number of deaths. Martin Rinkert was a minister in the little town of Eilenburg, Germany. Martin was the son of a poor coppersmith, but somehow managed to work his way through an education. In 1637 a massive plague swept across the continent hitting Eilenburg especially hard. People died at the rate of 50 a day. Preacher Rinkert was called upon to bury most of them. In all, over 8,000 people died in the plague, including Martin’s own wife. He officiated at over 5,000 funerals in one year averaging about 15 each day. He lived with the worst that life could dish out.

Inventory time: Do we rejoice always? Has this wonderful fruit of the Spirit developed in our daily lives so that our joy rises to meet every situation? Do we pray with persistence? Is our communication with our Father in heaven an ongoing part of our lives? Then the biggie…are we thankful people in every circumstance? Introduction: The year was 1636 toward the end of the Thirty Years War, which was perhaps the worst war in the history of mankind in terms of the sheer number of deaths, ensuing epidemics and economic crises. A massive plague added thousands to the number of deaths. Martin Rinkert was a minister in the little town of Eilenburg, Germany. Martin was the son of a poor coppersmith, but somehow managed to work his way through an education. In 1637 a massive plague swept across the continent hitting Eilenburg especially hard. People died at the rate of 50 a day. Preacher Rinkert was called upon to bury most of them. In all, over 8,000 people died in the plague, including Martin’s own wife. He officiated at over 5,000 funerals in one year averaging about 15 each day. He lived with the worst that life could dish out.

Introduction: The year was 1636 toward the end of the Thirty Years War, which was perhaps the worst war in the history of mankind in terms of the sheer number of deaths, ensuing epidemics and economic crises. A massive plague added thousands to the number of deaths. Martin Rinkert was a minister in the little town of Eilenburg, Germany. Martin was the son of a poor coppersmith, but somehow managed to work his way through an education. In 1637 a massive plague swept across the continent hitting Eilenburg especially hard. People died at the rate of50 a day. Preacher Rinkert was called upon to bury most of them. In all, over 8,000 people died in the plague, including Martin’s own wife. He officiated at over 5,000 funerals in one year averaging about 15 each day. He lived with the worst that life could dish out.

The hymn that we sang a few minutes ago was based on a table grace that he wrote for his children. It has become one of our treasured Thanksgiving Hymns. In the midst of hurt, sorrow, pain and loss Martin Rinkert wrote:

Now thank we all our God

With hearts and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things has done,

In whom his world rejoices.”

Wow! If I’d spent the year holding 5,000 funerals of the people I served, could I write for my children a song of thanksgiving? It’s an unusual thing that in history many who have the least for which to be thankful seem to be able to thank God the most!

You see, gratitude is a response. It is not just a sentiment. It is an appropriate response to the faithfulness of God. Sometimes it seems that adverse circumstances should call for most anything except thanksgiving. But for those whose life is truly trusting in God thanksgiving is what follows.

As in the case of the prophet Jeremiah who lived and witnessed the last few years of Judah’s rebellion. He was eyewitness to the armies of Babylon invade Judah. He watched through teary eyes his people carried away into captivity. He was present with the Babylonian hordes sacked and burned Jerusalem and slaughtered her inhabitants. He wept as he witnessed the destruction of their beloved Temple. His agonies at these atrocities are recorded in the Old Testament book that bears his name and especially in the Book of Weepings or Lamentations.

Nothing about the times in which Jeremiah lived would have been considered a blessing. There was no joy in Jerusalem. There were no hallelujahs to be chorused. All around was only pain, destruction, sorrow, and death. A very unlikely situation to elicit words of thanks. And yet, in the very midst of his weepings Jeremiah was able to write:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” ()

That my friends is an amazing grateful response in the midst of hurt!

Or, consider if you will, another prophet who struggled with questions about the character of his God who would allow a nation he created to be destroyed by a godless nation and then punish the rebellion of his people by allowing them to be carted off to a distant land for punishment. Habbakuk had the courage to do what all of us at some time or other want to do when tragedy strikes or a job is lost or cancer is diagnosed or a loved one dies...he questioned the goodness of God. Habakkuk’s relationship with God was so sound that he knew God could and would handle his questions.

Or, consider if you will, another prophet who struggled with questions about the character of his God who would allow a nation he created to be destroyed by a godless nation and then punish the rebellion of his people by allowing them to be carted off to a distant land for punishment. Habbakuk had the courage to do what all of us at some time or other want to do when tragedy strikes or a job is lost or cancer is diagnosed or a loved one dies...he questioned the goodness of God. Habbakuk’s relationship with God was so sound that he knew God could and would handle his questions.

How could anyone be thankful in such adverse conditions...hunger, destruction, displacement, agony and death?

But at the very end of the Old Testament book that bears his name, Habbakuk writes:

17. Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crops fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! (,)

Could you do that? Do you do that? Do I do that?

Could you do that?

Add to that the exhortation of the Apostle Paul as he closes out his first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” ()

So, this morning, in light of each of those wonderful testimonies I want to urge you to be thankful...not just on Thanksgiving Day but each and every day that you live. Let your life be a grateful response to a God who loves you so much that “he gave for you his one and only Son!”

I urge you to do as Martin Rinkert suggests: “Now thank we all our God...”

I. With Hearts that Love

You’ll probably see it again soon, that wonderful Children’s Christmas classic, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” It was released a few years ago as a movie staring Jim Carrey. You’ll recall in the story how the Grinch enters all the homes by way of their chimneys disguised as Santa Claus. He takes all their presents and ornaments, even the Christmas trees and stockings, and even their food down to the last morsel. He drags his loot up to his mountain and then looks down upon Whoville with a sinister grin. He is listening for the cries and wailings of the people to start as they wake up on Christmas morning to discover a Christmas lost. What he hears instead surprises him. Up from the town of Whoville comes a joyful Christmas carol. They are singing. “Why?” he asks. It is because, he learns, Christmas resides not in things but in the heart which is thankful. He was not able to steal their gratitude!

Jesus said that the greatest commandment was that we love the Lord our God with all our heart...soul...mind and strength! Gratitude must be more that lip-service...it must come from the heart to be genuine.

When we sing praises it is to come from the heart. When we serve...it is to come from the heart. When we give...it is to come from the heart! One of Jesus most biting criticisms was when he was being scrutinized by zealous Pharisees. He quoted the prophet Isaiah saying, “These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. There worship is a farce...” ( and ). God is not please when we just go through the motions. He is not honored when we sing without sincerity. He is not praised when our offerings are out of duty.

The Bible says that man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. So let’s honor him with our hearts...hearts that are pure will see God...hearts that are cheerful will please him...hearts that are in tune with his will is what he seeks!

“Now thank we all our God...”

II. With Hands that Serve

We are urged in Scripture to lift up holy hands in praise to God. David prayed for clean hands and a pure heart. God recognizes our gratitude when we lend a hand to help others. He is honored when our hands are extended to those who are less fortunate that we are.

In the year 1490 two struggling artists, Albrecht and Albert Durer, brothers, agreed that one would work full-time to support them while the other studied. So Albrecht studied art while Albert worked, with the understanding that when Albrecht became successful, he’d return the favor. After attaining enormous success Albrecht went back home to honor their agreement, only to discover the terrible price that his brother Albert had paid. By engaging in hard manual labor his fingers had become stiff and twisted and he could no longer paint. But instead of becoming jealous and bitter, Albert encouraged Albrecht and prayed for his continued success. One day while Albert was praying Albrecht quietly sketched his brother’s gnarled, misshapen hands. Today his masterpiece, “The Praying Hands,” tell a story of love, sacrifice, and the power of encouragement.

One evening four year old Robbie volunteered to say the blessing. With hands folded, Robbie said his usual table grace, “God is great, God is good...” then he took a quick peek at the food on the table and quickly added, “And thank you, God, for the hands that repaired it!”

Let us express our thanks to God with hands that are always ready to serve. It may be putting your hand on another’s should to encourage...it may be extending your hands to giving sacrificially to meet someone’s needs...it may be to raise your hand to volunteer for a job that needs to be done...it may be to hold a cup of water to offer to someone who is thirsty...it may be to hold a pen to write a note to a missionary...it may be to help cook a meal for someone who is hungry...it may be to play an instrument and lead others in worship...it may be to point the way to the light for those who are stumbling in darkness...whatever it may be “let us do with our might what our hands find to do!”

Let us be express our thanks to God with hands that are always ready to serve. It may be putting your hand on another’s should to encourage...it may be extending your hands to giving sacrificially to meet someone’s needs...it may be to raise your hand to volunteer for a job that needs to be done...it may be to hold a cup of water to offer to someone who is thirsty...it may be to hold a pen to write a note to a missionary...it may be to help cook a meal for someone who is hungry...it may be to play an instrument and lead others in worship...it may be to point the way to the light for those who are stumbling in darkness...whatever it may be “let us do with our might what our hands find to do!”

“Now thank we all our God...”

III. With Voices that Praise

William Law, in his Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life writes, “Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world? It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives the most alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justices, but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God wills, who received everything as an instance of God’s goodness, and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.”

William Law, in his Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life writes, “Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world? It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justices, but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God wills, who received everything as an instance of God’s goodness, and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.”

The Psalmist declared, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”

A woman was leaving the worship service and remarked to her preacher, “I enjoyed the sermon.” The preacher said, “Don’t thank me. Thank the Lord.” She replied, “It wasn’t that good!”

James devotes an entire chapter in his epistle to the tongue. In that chapter he says that we must take care in the use of our tongues. He says that “sometimes the tongue praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.” (3:9). Obviously, his point is that the proper use of our tongue is to bless...not curse. To praise...not disavow.

We try to teach our children at a very young age to say, “Thank you” and, “Your welcome.” Why is it that we often forget to apply that same habit to ourselves in our relationship with God and others?

Earlier I mentioned that gratitude is a proper response to a God of love and mercy. David seemed to grasp that concept when he prayed for God’s forgiveness about his sin with Bathsheba. In after he had poured out his heart in confession he said, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation...then I will teach your ways to rebels...forgive me for shedding blood...then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness...unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.” ()

During a harvest festival in India, an old widow arrived at her church with an extraordinarily large offering of rice---far more than the poor woman could be expected to afford. The itinerant preacher of the church did not know the widow well. But he did know that she was very poor and so he asked her if she were making the offering in gratitude for some unusual blessing. “Yes,” she replied. “My son was sick and I promised a large gift to God if he got well.” “And your son has recovered?” asked the preacher. The widow paused, “No, he died last week, but I know that he is in God’s eternal care, and for that I am especially thankful!”

Earlier I mentioned that gratitude is a proper response to a God of love and mercy. David seemed to grasp that concept when he prayed for God’s forgiveness about his sin with Bathsheba. In after he had poured out his heart in confession he said, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation...then I will teach your ways to rebels...forgive me for shedding blood...then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness...unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.” ()

Conclusion: You see, our best response to the gracious blessings from God is to give him our heart...serve Him with our hands and praise Him with our voices! Your best response to God who loves you and gave His Son for you on the cross is to give him your heart...to honor him with your life and to be faithful to his claim on your life.