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Ten men lepers in a Hebrew town.
Ten men cleansed as clean as snow.
One returned to give God grace.
But nine went away. Two thousand eight seems to be running away from us. It seems like only yesterday that we ushered in the New Year, made resolutions we hoped to keep and held on to Promise cards that reiterated God’s faithful presence and leading in our lives. And that, God has done. He has led us beautifully, guided us skillfully, endowed us with wisdom and provided for our every need. Indeed, songwriter Thomas O. Chisholm’s lyrics—“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”—place these ten months in vivid perspective. New jobs, fresh challenges, promotions, homes, health, children, salary increases, comfort, grace and Godly wisdom are just some of the tangible blessings that we have seen thus far this year. The truth is, they are but the tip of the “blessings” pyramid. “Thankful” and “grateful” are just two words that quickly come to mind as we think of His goodness. And Thanksgiving Sunday—this Sunday, 19th October 2008—gives us an opportunity to focus on the One who gives us every “good and perfect thing.” Which brings us to a moot question: What must be our response to God’s overwhelming goodness in our lives? Scripture gives us a clue. Jesus, en route from Samaria to Galilee comes across ten lepers who entreat Him to have mercy upon them (Luke 17:11-19). He does, telling them to go show themselves to the Priests (which was an Old Testament requirement). On the way they realize that they have been healed. Nine carried on without batting an eyelid. One returned to give thanks. One! How do we give thanks, Beloved? How do we tell our Creator God that we are grateful, that we are willing to pause and acknowledge His hand of mercy and grace in our lives? Take a paper, grab a pen and begin to write…. Write down all that God has done for you through this year. How He has carried you through sickness to good health, through turbulent situations at work or home to green pastures of calm and serenity; of wisdom beyond your own understanding when needed, a gentle spirit when aggression seemed the natural response; for financial stability when the numbers didn’t add up; for amazing grace in prodigal circumstances and the list could go on. Keep going; don’t stop until you can think of nothing more, and then, take the time to individually thank Him for each situation. Let’s be “the one who returned to give Him thanks”, church. Let’s not take Him for granted. Especially not today! With a grateful heart, Agapé Pastor
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