Thanksgiving
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
The ten lepers that met Jesus as He passed through Samaria and Galilee called upon Him in the day of their trouble. They were suffering from a degenerative disease that made their lives miserable. In their misery, they lifted up their voices and called to Jesus to have mercy on them. And they didn’t call in vain. Jesus did heal them of their leprosy. But as they went on their way, nine out of the ten forgot the source of their blessing. Only one remembered, returned to Jesus, and humbly gave thanks to Him.
The man who remembered to give thanks was blessed far beyond the other nine, for when he returned to Jesus in humble gratitude, Jesus sent him away with a blessing: “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” He could go on with his life not just because he was free from leprosy but because he knew Jesus and had faith in Him as his Savior.
We are likewise blessed when our prayers are answered and we remember that it is God who has helped us. He is our God who loves us and has made us His own children through the passion and death of His Son Jesus Christ. He has forgiven our sins for Jesus’ sake. From Him, we have the sure promise of the supreme blessing of eternal life.
Lord Jesus, help us to remember and put into practice this invitation and promise: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15