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 17:15-17
IF YOU WERE dying and without hope, and someone came along and healed you, don’t you think the least you would want to do is say thank you? Jesus healed ten lepers. But only one returned to express his gratitude.
It is easy to look at this story and shake our heads at the ungrateful nine. But are we sometimes part of the nine? How often has God blessed us and we have grabbed the blessing and run, not looking back or looking up? How often has He kept us from close calls, and we have continued on our way without thanking Him?
MANY ARE QUICK TO BLAME GOD FOR EVERYTHING—INSTEAD OF THANKING HIM.
“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8). God is so good to us, so worthy of our praise.
The nine are quick to blame God for the things that go wrong in their lives, but not quick enough to thank Him for the things that go right.
The nine are like the boy sliding down the side of the roof crying, “Oh Lord, help me!” When his pants get caught on a nail, he comes to a ripping stop. Looking up, he says, “Never mind, Lord, the nail caught me.”
Are you with the one—or with the nine?
Father, we come in Jesus’ name to give thanks to You today for Your goodness and for Your wonderful works to us.
Amen.