Thank You

Devotion by guest writer Meryl McKean

Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner? Luke 17:17-18

As a child I was used to a certain question following on the heels of a Christmas or birthday celebration. ‘Have you written your thank you letters yet?’ Much as I enjoyed the presents I received, there was a necessary step, that of thanking the person who had chosen the gift. It’s a good lesson to teach our children and it lifts my heart when my little grandson carefully says ‘tank que’ at the appropriate time.

In the passage recorded in Luke 17:11-19, Jesus encountered ten lepers as He entered a village, on His way to Jerusalem.  They were all together, distant and desperate. Unable to socialise with others because of their leprosy they cried out for mercy. Jesus turned their way and instructed them to go to the priest. They all took this step of faith. As they went, we are told that they were made clean from their leprosy. The priest would be needed to pronounce them ritually clean and fit for society. Only one man postponed this visit and turned back. He was full of praise to God. This was such as life changing moment, his heart was full.  We don’t know what happened to the other nine, we can speculate but we don’t know why they didn’t rush back too. Jesus commends this Samaritan’s faith and sends him on his way healed and restored.

Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts. Psalm 107:22

It is easy to miss the opportunity to give thanks. As grown-ups we don’t have someone standing over us saying ‘Now what do you say?’

Let’s not distance ourselves from considering our heavenly Father and giving thanks both for His continual provision and for His many other gifts. It brings joy to both our hearts and His.

Consider the verse above from Psalm 107, one of many scriptures encouraging us in our thankfulness. Take some time to take up the invitation and immerse yourself in praise and thanks, even if for you at this moment it might feel like a sacrifice.