A THANKFUL HEART WILL ALWAYS HAVE IT'S TANK FULL.
SONG
He has done so much for me. I can not tell it all. Narekele mo
If I have ten-thousand tongues, it wouldn't still be enough
Narekele mo
TEXT
"And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." - Luke.17.12-13
Permit me to start by saying this. There is an adage in my place that says, "when you say thank you for the kindness shown to you, you are invariably qualified for more".
We really may not have been commanded as to the number of times we are to say thank you when we receive help, but the Scriptures teach us that it is right to be thankful and to praise God.
As the title of the message implies, a heart that is thankful will definitely never be void of reasons to further celebrate God's faithfulness and mercies. God, on the other hand will always avail such an one ample opportunity to enjoy and to celebrate His goodness.
In today's reading, the Bible says that ten lepers came to Jesus and on top of their voices, requested for healing. The Lord, of course, granted them their requests, because no one came unto Him and went back the same. As many that came to Him, He healed them (Matthew 12:15).
He told the lepers to go and show themselves to the priests; but while they were going, they discovered that they were cleansed. The entire ten lepers were cured of their leprosy, but guess what happened! Only one came back to say "thank you" to the Master.
This is the exact picture of what we find in society today. Ingratitude has become a norm in our society. People take good and pleasant things done unto them as right and not as privilege. Of course, don't forget that unthankfulness is a characteristic trait of the end times. The Bible says that men of this age will be "unthankful" (1 Tim 3:2). It's worthy of note that wherever God finds unthankful people, He gives them up to do vain things (Rom 1:21-24). Thanksgiving amounts to giving glory to God. Jesus said, "There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger." - Luke 17:18.
These ten lepers came seeking help with loud voices but after they got their healing, what did they do in return? Only one came back with the same loud voice to say thanks to the Master. As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, let your thanksgiving be commensurate to the magnitude of God's goodness shown unto you. In other words, consider how you come to God in thanksgiving. Don't come shabbily with a heart of ingratitude.
As to the one that came back, the Master commended him for this singular act:
"And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? - There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger" - Luke.17.17-18.
Let God commend your thanksgiving offering, like He did of this one leper that returned to give Him thanks and the offering of the widow's mite in Lk 21:4.
It may interest you to know that this one leper that returned to give thanks to God got more than the remaining nine lepers.
"And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." - Luke.17.19
God has done so much for us that we cannot tell it all.
A grateful attitude should ever be cultivated by us as Christians, especially after receiving healings, miracles, provisions, deliverances or whatever kind of help from God. Preparing a song of thanksgiving for our God should be the ideal thing to do.
The Church should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints, and daily praises and thanksgivings should rise as sweet incense unto God for all His goodness towards us.
PRAYER
I'm thankful, Heavenly Father for all you have done for me, my family and the entire Body of Christ. All glory be unto you forever and ever in Jesus Mighty name.