Devotion: Gratitude
Sometimes it can feel overwhelming trying to choose what to read out of your whole big Bible. It might even be intimidating deciding how to spend your quiet time with God when there are no prompts or guidelines. That’s why we’ve asked former Collide staffer, Michelle Holladay, to write this devotion to help take the guesswork out of your study time and relax into prayer and reading.
Read – Luke 17:11-19
They were forced to live outside the community with torn clothes, unkempt hair, the lower part of their face covered, crying out, “unclean, unclean.” They must have lived with constant shame, fear, loneliness and resentment. Yet, these ten lepers found hope and somehow they recognized Jesus as the one who could save them. When they found Him, they stood at a distance and called out for mercy. He told them to go show themselves to the priests. They must have been confused but they began the long journey anyway and as they walked, they were healed. “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him” (Luke 17:15). The gratitude did not change the healing; all ten lepers were still healed. What gratitude changed was the relationship.
Throwing himself at Jesus’ feet and thanking him, this man enjoys an amazing moment of intimacy with his Savior. I don’t know about you, but when I truly picture this moment, it overwhelms me. What does it look like to fall at Jesus’ feet and cling to Him in gratitude? What a privilege it is to serve a God who desires this level of intimacy with us. Jesus didn’t rebuke the man; He didn’t stare at him in embarrassment. Instead, He called him to his feet as He lovingly spoke to him about his faith. All ten of these men should be commended, but only one got to hear directly from Jesus that his faith had saved him.
When we develop a habit of gratitude, we develop a habit of remembrance. When we stop and acknowledge that He is the one who holds our lives in His hands and He is the one who gives us all things, we grow a stronger dependence on Him. Even when we can’t understand why we are on this particular journey, we can trust Him because we know that He works ALL things for our good. It doesn’t always look the way we think it should but we can trust Him and thank Him through it all.
What have you experienced that you can thank God for today?
