"Martin Rinkart, a Lutheran minister, was in Eilenburg, Saxony, during the Thirty Years’ War. The walled city of Eilenburg saw a steady stream of refugees pour through its gates. The Swedish army surrounded the city, and famine and plague were rampant. Eight hundred homes were destroyed, and the people began to perish. There was a tremendous strain on the pastors who had to conduct dozens of funerals daily.
Finally, the pastors, too, succumbed, and Rinkart was the only one left—doing 50 funerals a day. When the Swedes demanded a huge ransom, Rinkart left the safety of the walls to plead for mercy. The Swedish commander, impressed by his faith and courage, lowered his demands. Soon afterward, the Thirty Years’ War ended, and Rinkart wrote this hymn for a grand celebration service.
It is a testament to his faith that, after such misery, he was able to write a hymn of abiding trust and gratitude toward God."
Finally, the pastors, too, succumbed, and Rinkart was the only one left—doing 50 funerals a day. When the Swedes demanded a huge ransom, Rinkart left the safety of the walls to plead for mercy. The Swedish commander, impressed by his faith and courage, lowered his demands. Soon afterward, the Thirty Years’ War ended, and Rinkart wrote this hymn for a grand celebration service.
It is a testament to his faith that, after such misery, he was able to write a hymn of abiding trust and gratitude toward God."
Dear Lord, I praise you for my family, friends, and many whom have prayed to You on my behalf... friends I do not see often or have ever met. I look forward to the day I can join them, together with the Cloud of Witnesses that are already in Glory, to praise our Heavenly Father. I look forward to eternity when we can recount answered prayers and celebrate with all truth, unity, and purity of heart. Until then, may we Your people continue to have abiding trust and gratitude despite whatever befalls us, including mountain-top joys and deep valley miseries. In Jesus Name, Amen.
*Credit for the hymn story posted above goes to The Cyber Hymnal.
