We Gather Together

People throughout Holland were filled with joy. It was 1597 and they were celebrating the freedom they had won from Spain. And many people throughout the country believed that the Dutch people owed this victory to God.

In honor of this deliverance, an unknown writer wrote a hymn of celebration. The first Dutch settlers in America brought the hymn with them, and it eventually became America’s favorite Thanksgiving Day hymn.

In the English translation made in 1894 by Theodore Baker, the song describes how God’s people joined together to seek Him: “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.”

This Believer knew what it meant to need God’s direction: “Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, ordaining, maintaining His Kingdom divine.” He knew that God was always with them: “So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!”

The writer knew that God was their “Leader triumphant,” and he prayed for God to be their “Defender.” As the Dutch people had become free, he prayed, “Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!”

Today, seek opportunities to gather together with other people of God. Seek Him, and remember all that He has done for you. Be thankful! He has been with you from the beginning, and He is at your side right now. He will never forget or forsake you!