Now Thank We All Our God, ELW 840 & LBW 533
1 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.
2 Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessčd peace to cheer us;
And keep us all in grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all harm in this world and the next!
3 All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son, and Spirit blest, who reign in highest heaven;
The one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
Devotion
“Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous thing has done, in whom this world rejoices;”
I remember during my first days of seminary I ran into someone I had known in previous years. Once she recognized who I was, she commented, “You’re the last person I expected to see at seminary.” In previous years, I wandered on paths not too healthy; paths of non-righteousness.
To know God’s healing, and experience righteousness in God’s name, produces a new heart intent on discipleship and bringing forth praise and thanks for God’s gracious activity. To offer thanks with heart and hand and voice is a natural occurrence as we journey in right paths with God.
Yet this hymn reminds us that discipleship includes thanks and praise in community with hearts, and hands, and voices, not just heart, hand and voice. Faith happens in communities where sin is removed and healing comes. Faith and healing happen within the invitation into the body of Christ.
Prayer
Almighty God, thanks and praise happen in invitation. May I invite someone today to consider with me, your grace and love. Amen.