Usually during this time of year I get a certain hymn stuck in my head: “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” (LSB 806). It’s such a simple, catchy, and meaningful reminder of our gratitude for what God has done for us. And like many other hymns, there’s a story behind it, too.
Henry Smith wrote this hymn during one of the toughest struggles of his life. Smith suffered from a degenerative condition in his eyes that eventually left him blind. Yet there was one day when his pastor encouraged him with a reference to how Jesus made himself poor in order to make us rich through him (2 Corinthians 8:9). It’s then he realized that that is something we can always be thankful for, no matter what we are going through, no matter what we have gained or lost, no matter if we are in abundance or need.
All throughout this short hymn, Smith is giving thanks to God for the most precious gift of Jesus. He sees that no matter what the world throws our way, no matter the struggles we face, and no matter how much we’ve lost, God’s grace and mercy and life in Christ will always outweigh every loss and heartache. In Jesus, we always have much to be thankful for!
Maybe this has been a year of good health for you, or maybe it hasn’t. Maybe this has been a year of struggle and loss, or maybe it’s been a year of growth. Maybe this harvest season has been amazing, or maybe something went wrong with the soil and you lost more than you could afford. Maybe this was a year of reconnecting with past relationships, or sadly, maybe this was a year of great loss and broken relationships. Either way, we can recognize that there are many things to still give God thanks for; there are still numerous things we can be grateful for!
We can give God thanks for the blessings He has given to us, while at the same time having a grateful heart for His provisions and strength to persevere through the struggles and losses. We can give God thanks for His faithfulness and love towards us, even though we tend to not always be faithful to Him. We can give thanks with a grateful heart that we are forgiven and redeemed, even though we still stray and fall into temptation. We can give God thanks that not only has Jesus risen from the dead, but He still lives to this day, currently seated on the throne of heaven, reigning over all of creation, working even the worst of situations for our good and for His glory.
So may we not get carried away with counting our losses or focusing on the struggle. Rather, may we continue forward with faith and trust in our Lord and Savior and, may we take some time to reflect and see the great and wonderful things which He has blessed us with, and may we never cease to give God thanks and praise!
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
(Psalm 95:1-2)
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)
In His Service,
Pastor Noble