Through his knowledge of God and his relationship with Him, he had the assurance of unfailing love and strength. He continued to lead in worship and to sing praises:
 
                "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 the way.
                With countless gifts of love and still is ours today."
 
Later, when the Swedes were in control of the city, an unjust tax was imposed on the people. Pastor Rinkart's request to lower the taxes was to no avail. History records that he said to his congregation, "Come my children, we can find no mercy with man. Let us take refuge with God." So they knelt and prayed. The Swedish commander was so impressed with the confident Christians that he withdrew the high tax.
 
Imagine the jubilant response of the people who were at the mercy of warring leaders. It must have happened exactly as the first words of this powerful hymn describe. With their "hearts, their hands and their voices," they were in awe of the wondrous things God was doing.
 
The story of this great man of God, Martin Rinkart, enables me to put into perspective the day-to-day trials that I might experience. During this time of Thanksgiving, I anticipate our dinner table discussion when we will recount our thanksLIVING for the year. Through joys or sorrows we will share the hymn, "Now Thank We All Our God" as a blessing of praise.
 
Our loving and powerful God, we come to you with hearts of thanksgiving that we can be victors and not victims in life. Your presence enables us to be overcomers when we feel overwhelmed. Thank You for Your loving touch upon our lives. Thank you that each day can be one of thanksLIVING.
 
In Jesus' holy name,
Amen

Lucy Neeley Adams has always loved music. She began telling the story of hymns on Christian radio WWGM in Nashville, TN, in the '80s. She then wrote a newspaper column titled "Song Stories" for five years. During that time Lucy's book, 52 Hymn Story Devotions, was published by Abingdon Press in Nashville. Each of the 52 stories contained in the book is written in a devotional format, with the words of the hymn concluding each devotion. Lucy, dubbed "The hymn lady," can be heard on the first Thursday of each month when she discusses hymn stories during a telephone interview with Michelle Mendoza of "Living Christian." The program is aired on station KCIS in Seattle, WA. Lucy lives at Lake Junaluska, NC, with her minister husband, Woody. They have four children and fourteen grandchildren. She may be reached for comment at lucya424@aol.com. Visit her at 52hymns.com.