What is Needed

Has someone ever done something for you which you appreciated but you failed to respond to them?  Maybe you just forgot to thank them.  Have you ever done something for someone who seemed to appreciate what you did, but did not respond to you?  Maybe they just forget to respond.   Obviously, there is something that is needed in these situations which is sorely absent.  That something is an expression of thanks from a grateful heart.

The Bible tells us that Jesus came upon 10 individuals who had a communicable disease.  They stood to the side (as they were required to do) but they called out to Jesus for help.  Jesus told them go show themselves to the priest.  When they did, each of them was completely healed.  Scripture goes on to say, “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice” (Luke 17:15).  What a gracious response this was.  Jesus asked him, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17).  Good question.  For the nine men, thankfulness from a grateful heart was missing.

When we have been helped or encouraged by someone, we need to be thankful, express our thanks to them, and give God the thanks that he deserves.  During this November and December let’s not get so busy that we forget to express our thanks when someone does something for us. The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This verse suggests several things:

1)    We need to be Thankful.  “Give thanks” implies that we should be active in our expression of thanks.  As soon as an act is completed, we need to say, “thank you”.

2)    We need to be Thankful in all Situations.  “In all circumstances” means that whether times are good or bad or even if thankfulness does not seem to be the right thing to do, we need to gratefully respond.

3)    We need to Remember that it is God’s Desire for us to be Thankful.  “God’s will for you” suggests that when we show appreciation, God is pleased and we are doing the right thing.

What about you?  Do you need to be more expressive in giving thanks to God and to others?  Let’s follow the example of the individual in the biblical story who came back to express his thanks.  Each day this month try to take time to express thanks to God for at least one thing he has done for you. Then, find one other person with whom you can share your gratefulness.