WHAT HINDERS OUR GRATITUDE

WHAT HINDERS OUR GRATITUDE

By Carolyn Dale Newell

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan

Luke 17:15-16 NKJV

He wanted healing, but he felt undeserving. This divine curse was painless. His sandals provided little protection for his feet, and bumps, cuts, and stings had left raw flesh. Numbness in his extremities had cost him a few fingers when he cut his hand.

It no longer seemed important that his voice was raspy. His family had shunned him fearing God’s judgment on them. He lived in a beggarly state, unable to work. Isolated, he had joined up with a few foreigners in the same condition.

News spread about a new prophet in the surrounding area. He had been healing others with many diseases. He could even cast out demons, and He had healed others with leprosy.

Soon, He would pass by. The leper and his friends planned to beg Jesus to heal them. As Jesus came near, the ten lepers began to cry out for their miracle. They respected the law and dared not get too close to Jesus.

Jesus told the lepers to go to the priest. Levitical law required lepers to be inspected by the priests to determine if they were now clean from this fatal disease. These were the same priests who abhorred Jesus.

On their way, the ten lepers were healed. The Samaritan left his Jewish buddies. There would be time for the priest later. He had ten perfect fingers and toes. Cuts and bruises were gone. No longer would he need to be separated from his family. Jesus had healed him!

He turned around. The nine were not interested in going with him to thank Jesus. They wanted the word of the priest. They were too excited and busy to get on with life. One mumbled, “I will thank Him later.”

The Samaritan raced to Jesus. The cleansed leper found Jesus and fell on his face crying out praises to his Lord. He worshipped. He praised. He was thankful.

Jesus told the Samaritan his faith had made him well. Some versions use the word, “whole”. It is the Greek word, “sozo” which refers to salvation, not healing. This man was born again.

Why did the nine refuse to make the time and properly thank Jesus? Maybe their desire to reach the priest quickly hindered them. They may have been eager to get back to their family and a normal life. Did they feel entitled to be healed? Was it unbelief or just forgetfulness? Were they selfish, or were they glad to be rid of their Samaritan enemy?

A better question may be; why are we not more thankful? Why do we say, “Thank You Jesus!”, but not take time to humbly fall on our face and give the Lord the praise and worship He deserves?

In past years, I have posted thanks on Facebook. Last year, I listed them altogether as a blog post. This year, my daily goal is to fall on my face and worship Jesus, praising and thanking Him. I challenge you to do the same. Physical limitations may prevent you from literally falling on your face, but assume a worshipful posture. Make the time and take the time to thank God.

Thank You Lord, for Your many blessings. We praise You Father because You are good, holy, and full of lovingkindness. Glory and honor belong to You. You are Lord and King! All power is in Your hands. Thank You in the name of Jesus, Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Luke 17:11-19.

HIKING THE TRAIL

Focus on thankful worship this Thanksgiving.

Copyright 2017 Carolyn Dale Newell.

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