"Thankful"

All ten of them were very sick,

With leprosy, no cure,

They turned to Christ for mercy,

His healing touch was sure.

He sent them to the local priest,

As if their healing came,

And as they went, a miracle,

All cleansed in Jesus’ name.

Only one came running,

Shouting praise aloud,

Jesus asked where are the nine,

Just one, and not a crowd.

Clearly Jesus was surprised,

‘Cause He had healed all ten,

But only one showed thankfulness,

And Jesus said to him,

You know your faith has healed you,

As He sent him on his way,

And the lesson He wants us to learn,

Is clear as night and day.

Return after the blessing,

And give glory to the Lord,

In fact, make it your habit,

As written in God’s word.

In every single circumstance,

We need to give God praise,

He will lift our lives above them,

By faith all of our days.

“Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t i heal ten men? Where are the other nine?’” *Luke 17:17, NLT)

Jesus did not tell the men to return to Him and give thanks after He healed them. But He was surprised when only one of them, a Samaritan, came running with loud praises. The lesson is obvious but no less powerful. God is the author of every good and perfect gift, according to James. Paul wrote that we should give thanks in all circumstances because this was God’s will fo those who belong to Christ Jesus. Though little is known about heaven, we are told it is an eternal place of praise. This life is to be heaven rehearsal. Body, soul, and spirit- our very purpose one earth is to offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that continually give thanks to Him. The bottom line of worship is that it is to be our daily habit and lifestyle. God is surprised when we don’t.

Lord, teach of to live thankfully, in Jesus’ name.

Photo by Jess Lee, used by permission. Thanks, Jess, and God bless you.