Several years ago I wrote the following in a devotion about Martin Rinkart, the author of  “Now Thank We All Our God.” “It’s hard to imagine the conditions of Martin Rinkart’s (1586-1649) life when he wrote this great hymn. He was a Lutheran pastor at Eilenburg, Saxony, during the time of the Thirty Years War. The town suffered from plague and famine during the war with Rinkart at one point conducting funerals for 40-50 people a day, including his own wife. I have trouble seeing how anyone could be thankful to God in the midst of such horror, but Rinkart managed it.”

I never imagined a plague would strike the U.S., not with all the modern medical advances. Then came COVID-19. The primary defense is washing our hands, not touching our faces, staying six-feet away from each other, and tying a bandana across our face. Close to 1,000 people die from it each day in the U.S.

Is there anything to be thankful for in these dismal days? As one of the at-risk oldsters, I’m thankful for my doctor and his staff who keep seeing patients no matter what. I’m thankful for the clerks who sell us the necessities of life. I’m thankful for first responders. I’m thankful for trash haulers.  I’m thankful for Pr. Art and Silas and Debbie and Amy who keep us connected in worship.

And I am thankful to God who will always

. . . keep us in His grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills,
in this world and the next!

Read Psalm 46 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne