Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”
Luke 17:11-18
Thanksgiving Leads to Thanksliving
Daily Devotion – October 29, 2017
Devotion based on Luke 17:11-18
See series: Devotions
After Jesus cleansed the ten lepers, only one returned to thank him. His question was poignant. “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” It appeared the nine were so excited about their new found health they forgot to thank the one who healed them.
How unfortunate! What is equally unfortunate is how I occasionally forget to respond to the Lord’s goodness and compassion. I pray for his intervention. I depend on his invitation to help. I even trust he will give me an answer. When he does answer my heartfelt request, what follows?
It is easy to be amazed and overwhelmed by the Lord’s answer to my prayer, but should it become a reason to forget to thank the one who came to my aid?
Luke does not record what happened with the other nine. No doubt they went to the priest, were declared clean, and returned to their families. Their new found health gave them a new life. The tenth leper probably did the same things. There was one exception. He stopped and returned to fall at Jesus’ feet. He began his new life by giving thanks to the Lord and praising him for his undeserved love.
It is a response I need to include in my life, and certainly, the Lord deserves my endless thanks. Richly and daily his undeserved blessings flow into my life, and these lead me to a life of thanksgiving. This life of thanksgiving could also be called “thanksliving.” It is how I live daily remembering and rejoicing in the Lord’s goodness and mercy.
Thanksliving can only begin when I recognize how blessed I am. Not a day goes by when the Lord does not support, strengthen or sustain me. Not a day goes by when he does not forgive, encourage or reassure me. This is why not a day goes by when I will not fall at my Savior’s feet and let my thanksgiving lead me to thanksliving.
Prayer:
O gracious Lord, words cannot begin to express my thankfulness for your rich blessing. Give me a thankful heart that not only proclaims my gratitude, but also reflects it in the way I live to your glory and praise. Amen.
This devotion was selected from the Daily Devotion archive.
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