“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 17:11-19
This is a sorry example of how un-thankful people can be, to the blessings of God. Ten lepers begged Jesus to heal them and were given instructions on how to obtain their healing. They were healed as they went by faith to show themselves to the Priests but only one came back to thank the Lord. Jesus said to the man. “Where are the nine?” Its apparent that He was disappointed that only one came back to give Him thanks - and this man was a Samaritan. The rest of the lepers were Jews who should have known better.
In the King James version it says that he was made whole after coming back to thank the Lord. Could this be that the rest were only healed of their leprosy but still had fingers missing, while this man was made whole in that he got his fingers back?
One thing that I have learnt in my walk with the Lord, is that God loves a thankful person. Not only is it pleasing to Him but it also releases the power of God into our lives. Have you ever given something to a child and they don’t say thanks? It’s annoying and demands a rebuke. Unfortunately this generation has become so entitled and feels its their God given right to have all the blessings without being thankful.
Did you know that being thankful brings us into the power of God. Look at this verse written by King David.
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4
When we thank God we enter into a new realm. We go through His gates into a large place. We enter into His chambers when we are thankful and experience His presence. Our attitude is like a flag that catches His attention and brings a response.
The bible says that in the Last Days people will be un-thankful.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” 2 Timothy 3:2
We have been given so much, yet hardly give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. There are so many scriptures that demand the giving of thanks as part of our worship to the Lord.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" Hebrew 12:28
When we have an attitude of thankfulness in our lives it creates around us a positive, powerful atmosphere that attracts angelic help. Being thankful doesn’t come naturally, and has to become a daily discipline. I often walk around the house thanking God for everything I can think of, from the carpet beneath my feet to the fact that I can even walk at all. I thank Him for the appliances that He has given to make my life easier. The internet, and the fact that I now have high speed broadband. I remember the days when all we had was dial up and the frustrations that came with that. I could go on and on. I am thankful that I spent many years in Africa and was denied so many creature comforts that I now take for granted. Being in the Army was also a difficult experience, and now being able to wear the clothes I like and sleep on a soft bed and eat a variety of foods is a big plus.
As far as God is concerned of all the blessings in our lives the greatest of all is having His word We should be constantly thankful that we have access to such an awesome treasure. There are some Christians in 3rd world countries who would love to have a bible, yet cant get one. We can get them free from most charity shops.
King David said that 7 times a day he praised God for His word. Do you praise God at all for the bible and His amazing promises that are life for you and can bring health to all your flesh? David could have praised God for all his wealth, power and privilege, but he emphasized how blessed he was to have God’s word.
“I will praise you seven times a day because of your wonderful laws.” Psalm 119:164
He even got up at night and praised God for His word.
“At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.” Psalm 119:62
No wonder David was a friend of God whose legacy is something we still share in today. He was taken from caring for sheep and placed in a palace, and never forgot what God had brought him from. He came back often to thank the Lord like the Samaritan leper and this pleased the Lord.
Don’t be like the other unthankful nine, come back to the Lord and thank Him for His many blessings showered on you every day. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see all that He has given you, it will make you whole.