“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
In Luke 17:12-19, Jesus was making his way into the city where ten lepers lived. When they saw Jesus, they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” The highly contagious leprosy had caused repulsive nodules, bumps and the rotting away of their skin. Jesus healed them and then told them to go to the priest, as was the custom, to be declared clean. Once the priest declared them clean, they no longer had to live isolated.
Out of the ten lepers, only one came back to thank Jesus for the healing. Because of his expression of gratitude, Jesus made him whole. The other nine were also cleansed, but the Bible does not say they were made whole. Is it possible that they bore the scars of what the leprosy had done to their bodies for the rest of their lives? Did they receive their physical healing but not the more important spiritual healing?
How many times have you cried out to God needing healing or help with a situation? How many times has God answered, but you didn’t thank Him for it? We ask God to help us with many things in our lives; our marriages, family, health, finances, etc. How often do we remember to thank Him for what He has already done?
The nine lepers had the same opportunity as the one who was made whole that day. An attitude of gratitude elevated his miracle to total restoration from the inside out.
God wants us to give thanks in everything, no matter how big or small.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I just want to thank you for what you have done in my life. I want to say thank You for the prayers that You have answered and the ones You are going to answer. Help me to remember in every thing to give you thanks. Amen!
Devotion by Mishelle Nally
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