Thankfulness is very attractive in a person, and it is a very godly trait for a believer. The Bible has a lot to say about having an attitude of gratitude as we walk through life. Have you got a thankful heart today?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
We are encouraged to give thanks in all, not because of all circumstances. This means that all through the highs and lows of life, of which there will be many, each moment is to be saturated with thankfulness. In fact, it is the will of God in Christ Jesus for a Christian to give thanks. Thankfulness is foundational to a lifestyle of love, service and worship of God.
The book of Luke tells an incredibly important attitude of gratitude story. Luke 17:12-18 reads,
And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
Jesus miraculously granted healing to ten outcast lepers in this story. But interesting where the story leads us. It highlights that of ten former lepers healed, only one comes back to give thanks. The other nine that didn’t return to give thanks may have still been thankful, but they rushed on to tell the priest so they could be integrated back into society. Bottom line, nine of them hurried on to the next thing, an important thing, but in doing so, they neglected to say thanks. If people do not give thanks quickly, they usually do not do so at all.
We all can fall into this trap also, running on with a blessing God has given us or a prayer answered but in doing so, we never actually stop to say thank you, God. Silent gratitude is not how a believer should behave.
We can see from this passage that saying thank you is very important to God. So what is it today that you can be thankful for? Why not take a few moments to be still and reflect? Instead of asking God for anything, we could simply sit in His presence, thanking and praising Him for all the wonderful things He has done, is doing and will do.
Heavenly Father, there are not enough words to thank You for all You have done for me. You are so good, loving and gracious. God of all things, please hear my grateful heart. No one can compare to You, thank You thank, You thank, You. Thank You, for the cross, for the blood, for forgiveness, for new life, for purpose, for future hope and destiny. Thank You that You have started a good work, and You will see it through to completion. Father, thank You. Amen