Returning Thanks
Luke 17:12-19
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him — and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
NIV
For months during my prayer time, my eyes would scan my prayer journal. As I read, I would pray about every need listed there. One of them pertaining to my job and one to my finances, amid numerous others for family and friends upon my heart.
As the dates came and went for my two needs, I found myself flabbergasted. He had done it! He had truly done it. Again. He so graciously answered my prayers! I felt awestruck, thankful and humbled. What a relief to know that we can lift our wants, our needs, our heartaches to One who hears.
My first tendency was to strike them off the prayer list, possibly with an “answered” date beside it. But then, I realized… I had spent months asking, how long was I going to spend praising?
I am not trying to start a new doctrine. I have no interest in adding a religious work to my daily regimen. I just realize that sometimes when He does a big thing for us, we fail to make a BIG THING of Him!
Truthfully, our tendency is to be inspired to pray all the more for the other items on our list, knowing He answered some. But is that the right response?
My question for you today is this- will you be the nine who were healed and peeled? (Think dine and dash here.) Or will you be the one who returned to give thanks?
The Bible does not record if the other 9 had the leprosy come back on them or if the grace of healing continued despite their ingratitude. But one thing is certain, the Samaritan, the praiser, got the attention of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He declared him healed! ( A job normally reserved for priests.) But here Jesus, our great High Priest, pronounced healing upon this foreigner. He revealed Himself to that man in a way the other 9 would never see!
What blessings and revelations do you forfeit by failing to return thanks?
Dear Lord, thank you a million times over for answered prayers. I am so grateful of your faithfulness even in the face of my faithlessness. I praise you for hearing, for answering and mostly for caring about my needs. Both great and small. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
So true, Sherri; we often forget to return thanks to the One who gifted us with blessings.
Yes! And how many blessings do we fail to see due to our lack of gratitude?