And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned,
and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face
at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:15–16
Thankfulness is is a conscious response that comes from looking beyond our blessings to their source. As Christians, we have been forgiven, saved from death, and adopted as God's children. There could be no better reason for a grateful heart!
Lepers in Jesus’ day were social outcasts. Their contagious condition ostracized them from those they loved. When ten lepers encountered Jesus, they desperately implored Him to show them mercy. Jesus sent them to the priest. As they obeyed, they were healed! These ten men had been forbidden to enter their own villages, to live in their own homes, to work in their own jobs, or even to touch their own children. Imagine what unrestrained joy must have filled them as they ran home again!
One of the lepers, a Samaritan, stopped and ran back to thank Jesus. Samaritans were normally shunned by the Jews, but Jesus had healed him! Jesus asked, “Where are the others?” Ten lepers had been healed. Ten lepers were reveling in their newfound health, rushing to share the good news with those they loved. But only one considered the Source of that blessing and stopped to thank the One who had given him back his life.
We, too, have been healed and made whole by the Savior. We are free to enjoy the abundant life the Savior has graciously given us. Could we, like the nine lepers, rush off to glory in our blessings without stopping to thank our Redeemer? Our worship, prayers, service, and daily life ought to be saturated with thanksgiving to God (Phil. 4:6). - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
Are you at all thankful to God for any AND everything in your life?
It's so easy in a world of plenty to keep wanting the next bigger, better thing, or place. To look elsewhere for happiness or pleasure when displeasure seems to be the run of the day.
How often are you compiling lists of what you are thankful for to give to God vs your lists of your wants and needs?
Are you at all thankful? Really and truly?
This isn't for me to know your heart.
What you need to realize is Jesus knows your heart.
He knows the truth of everyone.
He knows our every thought and intention.
He knows what you really meant by what you said or thought.
He knows when you are deceived or are deceiving yourself.
Are you at all thankful?
The question isn't difficult. The answer can be. Yes, we are to approach the Throne of Grace with confidence. But are you bringing your thanksgiving with you?
We all have lists, if we are truthful with ourselves, of every little thing that's not right with our lives. Things we really wish God would change. Things we wish He would supply.
I am getting older every second. Just as you are. Every second there's reminders of things that are going wrong with this body of mine. The list of prayer requests from me to God often have included my frequent ailments and problems. Sometimes I think I get the same answer as Paul concerning the thorn in his side. That His grace is sufficient. Keep moving.
Many stop being thankful because they got a no answer from God. So He said no. Keep moving and keep being thankful for that no and the other yes's and laters and not right now's.
We really really never consider beyond our thinking when it comes to a no from God.
We really can't conceive of why He would say no. To us it is a slam dunk and He should have approved. So we fixate on that no and stop being thankful for what He said yes to. There's a significant difference between a no and a not yet because you're not praying earnestly enough. Jesus eluded to that when the Disciples were not able to cast out a type of demon. He specifically said that kind comes out through prayer and fasting.
Spiritual focus on that desire was crucial.
I know of several people who are indeed demonically possessed. I pray every day for their release. Only Jesus can grant that.
I am thankful for my Advocate. I am thankful for my Jesus. I am thankful for the Wife He has brought me. I am thankful for the roof over my head. I am blown away when He grants me understanding in what I read. Often times He has explained things to me that He hasn't to others. His explanations are for me because others won't get it. But I know they are from God. God continues to bless this blog. I am thankful and in awe of that. The places it's gone blow my mind.
Are you thankful in the midst of your trials? Are you thankful in the midst of this election? Are you embittered about life? Holding onto anger about His no answers to your requests? Do yourself a favor. Build a bridge and get over it. Our lives are to be a reflection of Christ in us. Not a reflection of us in us. Harboring anger and resentment towards God, in any form, puts a wall between you and God that YOU put there. Let go of it all. Trust His work in your life and restore the joy of thanksgiving in your heart.
Are you thankful in these dark times? Read the New Testament in light of the fact that what you read happened during persecution. Read it in light of the fact that Jesus told you these kinds of things would indeed happen to you. And He still says to be thankful, be grateful.
This physical life means nothing in light of eternity. Even 120 years of age is nothing compared to eternity. Learn to be thankful.
We have but one time to be thankful and that is in each moment we draw a breath.
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