Thankfulness

“And as He entered into a certain village, ten leprous men met Him, who stood afar off. And they lifted voice and said, Jesus, Master, pity us! And seeing them, He said to them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it happened, as they went, that they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back and glorified God with a loud voice. And he fell down on his face at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan. And answering, Jesus said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were none found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ And He said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has cured you.’”

Luke 17:12-19 (MKJV) 

The obvious lesson is that we’re to remember to thank God for all His blessings. Whether they come big or small (to our way of looking at them, though if they come from God they are all big!); whether at our lowest and most desperate ebb or when all is smooth (the latter itself being a blessing); whether miraculously or simply as we walk along the road; they should have us thanking God wholeheartedly. 

But there is another less obvious lesson. 

When we do things for others we don’t always get thanked. We can become resentful, considering next time not to help. But if we allow that attitude a foothold, we may find ourselves also not helping others, becoming inconsiderate, lacking in compassion. So what to do? 

Remember there are a number of reasons why people don’t say thank you but, as we don’t know which category people are in, it is best to leave God to rectify things in His own time, which brings us to the next point. 

For each person who thanks you, accept it as from ten. It is as if God allows us 10% of the thanks now, whilst reserving the 90% for the time He chooses to reward us. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27 (KJV). 

Holding on for a reward better than people thanking you. 

Prayer

Thank You, Father, for all the numerous blessings with which you have blessed me. Please help me to be more observant of when and how you bless me, so that I can thank You immediately and wholeheartedly. And thank You for the greatest blessing ~ Jesus Christ, the evidence of Your love for me (Your love being another blessing, thank You).

Amen 

Study by Ruth Edwards