For this month I am sharing with you a sermon preached by C.F.W. Walther (October 25, 1811 – May 7, 1887). Walther was the first president of the LCMS. He preached this sermon on recognizing that our nation enjoys its place of success and favor because of the mercy of God. We are to always give thanks, not just one day a year, but the life of the Christian is lived every day in thanksgiving to God. Sunday is our true day of Thanksgiving where a nation that is not of this world gathers to be led and nourished and formed by the word of her king.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:6.
“America is one of the youngest nations on earth. It began toward the end of human history. This land was discovered only a little more than 500 years ago, and it was not even half a century ago that the last of our 50 states joined the union. However, as young as our country is, it has already surpassed most other nations, leaving them far behind in most important respects. It is certainly one of the world’s most fortunate nations.
But what is the reason for this happy condition? When God wanted to show the prophet Jeremiah the ultimate reason for the destiny of His people, He led him into a pottery where the potter, working at the wheel, threw away a marred vessel and made another, as it pleased him. The Lord said, “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel” Jer. 18:6. The Lord said this, not only of Israel, but of all peoples and kingdoms. Thus, according to God’s Word, our country, like all others, is in God’s hand; it, too, is like clay in the potter’s hand. Who once put the idea in Columbus’s heart that a land lay far to the west, on the other side of the Atlantic? Who safely carried his ships across that ocean, imbued him with courage to face the unknown, and gave him the resolve to continue his quest until the cry of “Land! Land!” sounded from the mast? Was it not God?
Who gave the authors of our Constitution the wisdom to draft that document? Was it not the Lord, from whom all wisdom comes? Who gave our land victory in the Revolutionary War? Was it not the Lord of Sabbaoth, the Lord of hosts, who is the true Man of war, guiding the hearts of men, making one bold and another despondent? Have not many other countries that wanted to free themselves from tyrannical dominion, countries that had similar wise military leaders and that showed similar determination, strength, and willingness to sacrifice, been unable to accomplish this? Who has preserved America’s freedom and blessed this nation so it has become a dwelling of earthly prosperity? Is it not the Lord, who nourished our love of freedom? Didn’t they willingly give up their freedom to one great leader for his strong government? And aren’t there other republics that enjoy the same freedom as America, but harvest only the bitter fruit of intense party divisions? Who allowed the industry of America’s citizens to triumph over all obstacles? Was it not the Lord, of whom it is written: “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep” Ps. 127:1-2.
Finally, who has given our country its geography, with its magnificent rivers, its fertile ground and manifold produce, and its seemingly inexhaustible sources of earthly wealth? Is it not the Lord, the Creator and Preserver of all things, who established this beautiful garden and kept it until this moment? Couldn’t God have continued to keep the door of this western land shut, as He did for thousands of years? Couldn’t He have let the Revolutionary War turn out miserably or, later, restored the land to European rule or surrendered it to a rebel conqueror? Couldn’t He have depopulated the land and destroyed its wealth by a general crop failure of any number of other plagues on the land? Neither the wit nor the strength of man called our country into existence, but the Lord. Neither the will nor wisdom of man brought together people representing so many lands, ethnic groups and languages, and united them into one great, free, mighty nation, but the Lord. Neither reason nor the power of man preserved our country, bound its people together, and created its fortune, but the Lord. Our country was-and is-in His hand, as the vessel is in the potter’s hand.
For this reason, away with all idolizing of man! Away with the thought that human wisdom, human courage, human power, and human righteousness produced the many blessings this land enjoys! Let us praise the Lord, who says, “My glory I give to no other, nor My praise to carved idols” (Is. 42:8). Let us also exclaim, “Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” (Ps. 118:1). He has done great things for us, and for that, we are grateful.”
Taken from “God Grant It” Daily Devotions from C.F.W. Walther, CPH 2006. Page 918.
See you on Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Ottmers