In the hustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the blessings showered upon us, forgetting to pause and express our gratitude. The story of the ten lepers in Luke’s Gospel is a poignant reminder of the power of gratitude and the salvation it brings.
Daily Devotional for November 18
“One of them, when he saw that he was healed, went back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:15-16)
Gratitude and Salvation
In this miraculous encounter, ten lepers are healed, but only one recognizes the deeper significance of this healing. His response is one of profound gratitude, which leads him to a deeper encounter with Jesus.
1. Recognizing the Blessing.
Often, we cry out to God in our need, but how often do we return to give thanks? This leper’s recognition and return to Jesus illustrate the importance of acknowledging God’s work in our lives.
2. Loud Thanksgiving.
Just as his pleas for mercy were loud, so was his gratitude. Our thanksgiving should be as fervent and vocal as our requests. It’s a declaration of God’s goodness and mercy.
3. More than Physical Healing.
Although all ten lepers received physical healing, when the Samaritan returned to Jesus, he offered this leper much more than the others – spiritual salvation. His faith and gratitude opened the door to a deeper relationship with the Savior.
Devotional for every day here: Daily Devotional
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, in the journey of life, You shower me with blessings, great and small. Forgive me for the times I have taken Your gifts for granted and neglected to return to give thanks. Today, I pause to express my heartfelt gratitude for all that You have done in my life. Help me to always recognize Your hand at work and to respond with joyful thanksgiving. Teach me, Lord, to seek not only Your blessings but also Your presence. May my gratitude lead to a deeper faith and a closer walk with You. Thank you for the reminder that true healing is not just physical but spiritual, reaching into the depths of my soul. In Your loving name, I pray, Amen.
To You
Reflect on a recent blessing you’ve received. Take a moment to express your gratitude to God, perhaps even sharing your thanks with others as a testimony of His goodness.
My brother, may your heart be filled with gratitude today, and may this thankfulness lead you into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Christ. Remember, not just what God does for us but who He is to us matters most. Amen.
