Gratitude from Delight
“Weren’t there ten lepers healed? Where are the other nine?”
This was Jesus’ question in Luke 17 after he healed ten lepers but only one came back to give praise and thanks to Jesus. So what happened to the other nine? Why didn’t they come back to thank Jesus — even if only out of common courtesy?
Perhaps they were so enthralled by this miracle that they could only think of sharing the exciting news with friends and tell about Jesus. Perhaps after months or years of quarantine, they just wanted to embrace their spouses and children. Or perhaps upon returning home from their long absence, they became overrun by the devastating toll inflicted upon their families and their finances.
All of this would be understandable. And we are not so different. Every day, the joys, sorrows, and callings of this life compete for our devotion.
But when we lower our eyes and fixate on our circumstance, we neglect the highest end for which we were made — what Jesus called, “the good portion.”
We were made to treasure Jesus in every circumstance — to give him thanks in our triumphs, and to cling to him with grateful hearts when we are in need.
Mark this, brothers and sisters: my exhortation to you is gratitude based not on duty but delight.
Whatever our circumstance, may we not be like the nine who neglected to delight in their savior. May we instead be like the one who turned to Jesus — falling at his feet, and giving him thanks with hearts full of praise.
And this reminds us of our need to confess our sins.
Prayer of Confession
Jesus, every good gift and calling comes from your hand. And through various trials, you refine us in order that we might trust you more. But we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have made idols of the good gifts you give us. And we have grumbled when we encounter difficulty. During this time of silent confession, would you convict our hearts so that we would love you more? …