You will remember the account of the ten lepers who cried out to Jesus for mercy. All ten needed healing, and all ten looked to Him for help. Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were cleansed.

What a blessing that must have been! Their lives were changed. Yet, out of the ten who received that blessing, only one turned back to thank and praise the Lord.

Jesus asked a very simple but searching question: “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”

That question should cause us to examine our own hearts. Are we quick to ask the Lord for what we need but sometimes slow to thank Him for what He has already done?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking God for healing, help, guidance, or provision. He invites us to bring our needs to Him. But our relationship with the Lord should not consist only of asking. We should also be a thankful people.

When we recognize what the Lord has done for us, gratitude should affect the way we live. I believe a thankful life will be reflected in our dedication to the One who has made us whole and set us free. We have so much for which to praise Him—not only for the prayers He has answered, but simply for who He is and for the blessings He gives us day after day.

Thankfulness should also cause us to remember the people God has placed in our lives.

Most of us can probably think of someone and say, “What a blessing that person has been to me.” For some, those special people may already be with the Lord, and we no longer have the opportunity to tell them what they meant to us.

But perhaps there is someone you can still thank today.

It might be a family member, a friend, a pastor, a teacher, or simply someone who stood beside you when you needed encouragement. Why not make a phone call, write a note, or personally tell that individual, “Thank you. You have been a blessing in my life”?

We should never become so accustomed to receiving blessings that we forget to be thankful for them.

Above all, let us thank our Lord for His unspeakable gifts and His many blessings to us. And as we remember His goodness, let us also remember those He has used to bless our lives.

The question Jesus asked so many years ago is still worth considering today:

Where are the thankful ones?

May we be among them.

A Thought for Today

Take a moment to thank the Lord specifically for something He has done for you. Then think of someone who has been a blessing in your life. If you still have the opportunity, let them know you are thankful for them.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your goodness and for the many blessings You have given us. Forgive us for the times we have been quick to ask but slow to give thanks. Help us to live with grateful hearts and to remember the people You have used to bless our lives. Above all, may our lives show our gratitude and dedication to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.