Thanksgiving

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”  ~Psalm 136:1

Martin Rinkart was born in 1586 and died in 1649. He was a German Lutheran pastor. He was born in Eilenburg, Germany; he pastored in Eilenburg, Germany; and he died in Eilenburg, Germany.

Rinkart began his pastorate at the Lutheran church in Eilenburg in 1618, which was a very significant year. Why? It was the very same year the Thirty Years’ War broke out, lasting until 1648. An estimated 5 to 8 million people died as a result of battle, famine, and disease. The population of modern-day Germany declined an estimated 50%.

Nearly Rinkart’s entire ministry took place under war conditions. He served the pastorate in Eilenburg for 31 years, and he died the year after peace had been made. So 30 of his 31-year ministry was during war, famine, and plague. Rinkart stayed the entire time in the city of Eilenburg and pastored his people despite the seemingly endless hardships. He became so poor that he could barely feed his family. All his house furnishings and grain supplies were plundered. He was forced to have soldiers live in his house. In 1637, a devastating plague struck Eilenburg that was immediately followed by a severe famine. Eight thousand people died that year, and Rinkart officiated at the burials of 5,000 people in the town. It was not unheard of for him to conduct funeral services for as many as 40 to 50 people per day.

One incident is worth mentioning. During the height of the Thirty Years’ War, the army of Sweden attempted to gain military control over the northern German states, of which Eilenburg was part. The Swedish army surrounded the city and demanded an extravagant tribute from the town. Pastor Rinkart went out to meet the Swedish general to seek mercy, but he received none. He then turned to some of his congregation who had followed him and said, “Come, my children, we can find no hearing, no mercy with men, let us take refuge with God.” He then fell on his knees and prayed. The Swedish general witnessed Rinkart’s godliness and left the city alone.

So, Rinkart’s life was engulfed by war, disease, poverty, and death. We can only imagine the hardship. And yet – and yet! – Martin Rinkart wrote a prayer for his children in 1636 that was later put to music near the end of the war. It’s number 98 in our hymnal. It is a marvel that he could write such a thing in such circumstances. As I read it, I can’t help but think how much more I ought to be thankful this Thanksgiving, especially when my life is nothing like that of Martin Rinkart’s.

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom His world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms,
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God,
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts,
and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills,
of this world in the next.

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 heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

Rev. Rob Dykes, Pastor of Preaching & Congregational Care