“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” 1 Chronicles 16:8 (NLT)

The Thankful

Christmas was the season of gifts and gift giving. My children made lists, and begged for certain items. As a mother I love to bless them, but I also saw that time of year as a time to teach gratitude. Just like children with toys, I can’t help but think how often I ask with intensity, but forget what I’ve been given once I’m satisfied.

Luke 17:11-19 is the story of the ten lepers. As Jesus approaches, this group of outcasts scream from a distance: “Heal us! Heal us!” Because of their disease, they couldn’t get close. Can you feel their desperation, not allowed to enter their village, outcasts, shunned by family and friends? Yet here comes Jesus, and they know of Him. Here is a Man that can heal them! Do you sense the urgency? The intensity? What if Jesus doesn’t see them or hear? What if He doesn’t care, for they are lepers? So they scream loudly and beg, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” And Jesus hears, sees, stops, and speaks. He says, “Go show yourselves to the priests,” and as the lepers obey, they are healed on the way.

You know the story: ten beg for healing, ten desperately cry out for Jesus. All are given the great gift of healing, yet only one returns to worship and give thanks. So often I beg for healing, so often the Lord is gracious, yet how often do I return, bow at His feet and give thanks? Many are given gifts by Him, yet few return once they are satisfied.

David was known as a man after God’s own heart. He lived 70 years, and wrote 73 Psalms in that time. David had no problem praying. When he was hurt, afraid, in danger or distress he begged the Lord for salvation with fervency. Yet as you read his prayers, you see a theme of thankfulness. He praises God over and over again, even while still in the midst of difficulty. This man after God’s heart was a man who returned to worship at God’s feet.

That tenth leper returned when he saw he was healed, fell down on his face at Jesus’ feet, and he glorified God with a loud voice. With the same fervency he had begged for healing, he worshiped God. Let the same be said of us.  And to this one, the one who remembered and returned, an even greater gift was given. Jesus, God Himself, looked him in the eyes, knew him, spoke to him personally, and said, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” This is the one who can now be sent to speak life to others; this is the one who doesn’t just receive from Jesus, but who knows Him personally. This outcast, this foreigner, this leper didn’t ask and then forget the One who saved him. He returned and worshiped. Let us remember what we have asked of the Lord, and what He has done for us. Let us worship with greater intensity than we beg for gifts from Him.

Lord, forgive me for forgetting Your goodness and faithfulness to me. Teach me to worship You with greater intensity than I beg You for things. May my love for You and awe of You be greater than what I desire from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.