We Give Thanks- Day 16

Thanksgiving perfects. Thanksgiving preserves. Has the Lord blessed you in any way? Have you received answer to prayer? Ensure you are intentional about giving thanks and gratitude to God. Thanksgiving is a seal.

In scripture, we see Jesus heal 10 lepers.

While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed.

When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan.

“Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine? Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?”

Then Jesus said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well!”- Luke 17:11-19

This story is so profound because, just by a simple act of thanksgiving, the Samaritan man received wholeness and was acknowledged by Jesus. Leprosy makes people lose parts of their flesh, and have mutilated fingers and toes. The other lepers would have been healed from the disease and had their flesh cleansed, however by giving thanks, this Samaritan man received complete wholeness. Meaning that he was completely restored and it was almost as though he never had leprosy. He left with not just healing, but fresh skin.

Sometimes, the miracle isn’t complete until you’ve given thanks. This is not to say that you should give thanks just because you want God to do more. Give thanks, knowing that God is always worthy of receiving thanks.

It is also instructive that the man who returned to give thanks was a Samaritan (a foreigner who wasn’t part of Israel). Jews regarded samaritans as half breeds and wanted nothing to do with them.

Don’t get so familiar with God, His ways and His acts that you take Him for granted, and you don’t give thanks.

Give God the glory he deserves always.

Thanksgiving prompt: Think of 5 things God has done for you recently, big or small, and give Him thanks.

I advice that you journal your thanksgiving, it will help you engage in it more consciously, and in 50 days, you will have a record of gratitude. You can play the song below as you journal.

As always, please share with a friend!