This popular Thanksgiving hymn holds a timeless truth, and speaks to us in these days. It is good news for us that the wicked ones who oppress us will “cease from distressing.” Even in our present time, with God at our side we will escape tribulation. I think mostly this day of the suffering of the families and children of Syria, of those who are the targets of hate in our own country, of our brothers and sisters at Standing Rock, of all who live in fear of losing their cherished freedom.
We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
May our God make it so. Amen.
God of the Sparrow 🌱 By Kathy Manis Findley 