Looking for Thanks

Luke 17: ¹¹ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

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Being angry at “that” person made it difficult to be thankful. I took the things offered to me but felt rage in my heart. I mean it was their fault so I have a right to be angry, right?

• Many times I had anger in my heart.
• Many times I had too many problems on my mind to be thankful.
• Many times I had an expectation that was not met.

JESUS cleansed ten lepers but only one returned to say “Thank YOU.” It was possible that the other nine were cast out of the church, according to the law,  and accepted mingling with the “foreigner” Samaritan. When JESUS sent them back to the church to be restored, they did not thank HIM.

• GOD wants me to be thankful for every little thing people do for me.
• GOD wants me to be thankful for all that I have, even through difficult times.
• GOD wants me to be thankful because hatred and bitterness can fill my heart and blind me to HIS wonderful plan.

“Thank YOU” is what GOD is looking for, but in many instances I give HIM complaints about not having enough. While HE can handle my complaints and requests for more stuff, HE does want me to say “Thank YOU” every now and then. A heartfelt thanks is in order for GOD from me today. “THANK YOU LORD!”

• Are you busy complaining to GOD about the latest problem?
• Can you recall the last time you really said “Thank YOU” to GOD?
• Will you take a moment today and praise GOD by saying “Thank YOU?”