THANKSGIVING TO GOD

"And he fell upon his face at His feet, giving Him thanks." (Luke 17:16a).

 

As Americans gather together this week with their families and friends to enjoy turkey, pumpkin pie, and other traditions, I hope, more than anything else, that they will take the time to reflect on God's mercy and grace in their lives.  This holiday affords many people the opportunity to be reminded of God's goodness, but we Christians should not need a reminder.  Our hearts should be full continually with love and appreciation for the One Who has blessed our lives so richly.

 

The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 illustrates a valuable lesson about being thankful.  Jesus graciously healed all ten lepers, but only one, when he realized that he had been made whole, returned to give God the glory, and to thank the Savior Who had touched his life.  It was no superficial "thank you" either: he fell down upon his face at Jesus feet, thanking Him with all his heart.  The other nine were no doubt healed as well; but they were content to simply follow what was required of the law, go to the priests as Jesus had directed them, and be pronounced clean.  Scripture points out that the one who returned was a Samaritan, whereas the nine are presumed to have been Jews.  How typical it had become for the Jews to be so fixated on the law and their traditions that they lost sight of the Law-Giver.  Even in light of a notable miracle, they did not think to give God glory for the gift of the Messiah Who had made their healing possible.  Yes, I'm sure that the one eventually went to show himself to the priests in order to receive their sanction that it was alright for him to return to society again, and be around his family and others; but not before expressing his gratitude to God the Son. 

 

Jesus said to this Samaritan, "Arise, and go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." (Luke 17:19).  The word "whole" in this verse implies to me that he was changed both outwardly and inwardly by this experience with the Savior, and that the agent which had worked this complete transformation was his faith.  I have no doubt that this man went on to follow the Lord, but what of the nine?  Though they were healed in body, did their lack of thankfulness also keep them from following Jesus the rest of their lives?  How our heart responds to God's goodness has everything to do with our response to Him overall.  "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23). 

 

Beyond being thankful, there is a way that we can actually repay the Lord for all His blessings.  "What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?  I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD." (Psalms 116:12, 13).  The way in which we can best render praise to God is to drink of His salvation and call on His name.  Nothing grieves the Lord more than when we refuse the fullness of His salvation, and don't believe in His promises.  Everything we will ever need in this life we find in Christ Jesus.  He is our very life and breath.  Can we ever run out of ways or reasons to thank Him?  Let's be thankful to God for all the goodness that He bestows upon us, not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of our lives. 

  

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:15). 

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