Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Proverbs 22:9

Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.

Do you remember the first table grace you learned?  I do! It was:

God is great and God is good.
Let us thank Him for our food.
By His hand we all are fed;
Give us Lord, our daily bread.

Mother and Dad taught me that blessing and once I had memorized it, I was given the honor to offer the blessing at mealtime.

The title of this hymn reminds me of that blessing.

Listen to / read the hymn in its entirety.

Lord, we thank you for this food; help us share with all in need;
Body, soul refresh anew to live the Gospel, serve your people, give your people love.        

The “tom, tom” sounds simulate the pounding of rice, a staple in the Taiwanese people’s diet.  The melody is from the Bunun people of Taiwan.  The hymn reminds us not only of the food we have but of those who labor to feed us.

Prayer

Creator God, before rice in its many forms gets to our tables, there have been those who planted and harvested the rice.  There have been cooks who prepared the rice before it was served to us.  We thank You, O God, for those who labor to feed us and for the food we enjoy that nourishes our bodies and strengthens us for Your service.  In Christ’s name, we pray.  Amen.