Thankful
My heart goes back in this season to one of the earliest songs I associate with Thanksgiving. Several of us sixth graders were asked to practice it for a PTA assembly. (Yes, it was a different time). I vaguely remember how nervous I was to sing the old-fashioned words, but they resonated in my heart. I did not know the song’s rich history until this week. It seems that the Dutch Protestants were forbidden to meet for worship by Catholic King Phillip II of Spain, and this hymn was written to praise God after the Dutch defeated the Spanish forces in the battle of Turnhout.
“We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all Glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee our Leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our Defender will be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! Oh Lord make us free” (1597, Baker 1894).
Today Christians still struggle to meet in certain parts of the world. The enemy is still at work in our cultures and governments to silence the voices that offer God praise and seek His direction. The people of God have always faced obstacles. The struggle to maintain a testimony of purity in a world defined by sensuality and anger makes us feel that our tribulations are great. But God is greater! His kingdom will prevail! He will triumph over evil! He will not forget us! He sees where we are!
I will join David in Psalm 68 as he proclaims God’s blessings,
“Sing to God O kingdoms of the earth, Sing praise to the Lord. Selah.
To Him who rides the ancient skies above, Who thunders with mighty voice
proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.
You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary;
The God of Israel gives strength to His people.
Praise be to God! (32-35 NIV).
I agree with you; there is much anger in the world. May we always lift our eyes to Him to give us strength to be who He wants us to be.
Good post Luwana. Government may try to silence our voices but one thing they cannot take away from me is what remains in my heart. “Love your God with all your HEART, soul and mind.”
“I will join David in Psalm 68 as he proclaims God’s blessings,
“Sing to God O kingdoms of the earth, Sing praise to the Lord. Selah.
To Him who rides the ancient skies above, Who thunders with mighty voice
proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.
You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary;
The God of Israel gives strength to His people.
Praise be to God! (32-35 NIV).” I
Amen to that, Luwana
“I will join David in Psalm 68 as he proclaims God’s blessings,
“Sing to God O kingdoms of the earth, Sing praise to the Lord. Selah.
To Him who rides the ancient skies above, Who thunders with mighty voice
proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.
You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary;
The God of Israel gives strength to His people.
Praise be to God! (32-35 NIV).”
Amen to that, Luwana!