"I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever" - Psalm 86:12 (NIV).
The story is told that once Jesus met ten lepers. They had been bitten with one of the most feared disease around- an infection caused by a slow-growing bacteria. Left untreated (and there was no cure then) leprosy could end up affecting the nerves, skin, eyes, nose; leaving one all bent and mangled up. In those days a leper had to be isolated for fear of infecting the healthy. One can therefore imagine the weight these lepers were carrying.
Now, when these ten men met Jesus, of course, "They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed' (Luke 17: 12-14).
After that a strange thing happened, though it is not that unusual. "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—and he was a Samaritan" (vv 15-16). This was some movie. So, "Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well" (vv 17 -19).
How strange! Maybe the other nine men were too ectastic to think of returning back to thank Jesus! The weight finally taken off their back, they couldn't pause to acknowledge and thank the one who had led to their healing. Bigger things on their mind. But that just doesn't sell! Let's imagine one was infected again, so then, what is the next move...having long forgotten your once deliverer!
This simple story teaches us to be ever grateful. Let us never tire to be grateful in all walks of life but mostly for the good things the Lord has done for us!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the gift of salvation and all the blessings upon my life, that I may ever be grateful to you, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
-
03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
