Remember the Gospel story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19)? It’s a wonderful recounting of Jesus’ generous and healing spirit. Nonetheless, it’s a troubling story, because only one of the lepers came back to thank Jesus. How could only one return? How could the other nine dance off in joy, completely forgetting how—and by whom—they were healed?
As Christians, we’re called beyond simple thanks for the good things God has sent our way. We’re also to give thanks for what He has done for us…and for who He is.
Scripture gives us many examples of why we are to be thankful.
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We are to be thankful for what God has given us:
1. His love that “endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).
2. His grace, freely “given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4).
3. Continuous victory “through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
4. “Righteous laws” to guide us (Psalm 119:62).
5. Fellow believers to sustain and cheer us: “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers” (Philemon 1:4).
We are to be thankful for what God has done:
6. He has “answered me…[and] become my salvation” (Psalm 118:21).
7. He has redeemed us. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
8. He has qualified us “to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:12).
We are to be thankful for who God is:
9. “He is good” (1 Chronicles 16:34).
10. He is “faithful and just” (1 John 1:9).
If you’re like me, you are probably good at saying “thank you” for some of these things, and not as good at showing appreciation for others. Why not set aside some time to up your ‘gratitude quotient’? Select one item to add to your daily prayers each week—that’s what I’m doing.
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Last week I focused on being thankful that God will always love me; I never have to worry about being abandoned or mistreated. This week I’m praising God for His laws and asking Him to help me apply them to my life.
The Apostle Paul encourages us to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). Amen!
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