Jack Hibbs Weekly Devotion: Thank Him Now (November-06-2023).
“Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ So when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 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. So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed?
But where are the nine?’” - Luke 17:11-17
Life is tough and often throws us curve balls. In the case of the ten lepers, each was condemned to death by a slow, all-consuming disease. There was no cure except for a miracle—precisely what Jesus had in mind. Think about those you know who are hurting because of sickness or mistreatment. Or perhaps you’re gripped by some great concern. Dear saint, the outcome of our trial is known by God, but will we be thankful to Him when He brings us through it?
Thanksgiving is to be Characteristic of the believer's life.
The response of the lepers is instructive. In it, we see ten men desperate for relief but learn how few were thankful when the trouble had passed, and the sky began to clear. Jesus healed all ten, but only one praised God and, in gratitude, returned to thank Him for His gracious healing. The others were like those who receive from God but are forgetful of His goodness.
Thanksgiving is to be characteristic of the believer’s life. The Bible even commands it. “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). While relief from our earthly afflictions may be yet future, remember that Christ released us from the ravages of sin. May we not be counted among those who have accepted the miracle of salvation yet show little gratitude for it.
Today, thank God for the sacrifice of His only Son, through whom you will receive the ultimate healing and enter heaven’s gates. That, my friend, is something to thank Him for now and forevermore!
