“Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psalm 50:14-15)

Gratitude, thankfulness, and appreciation are very important. Yet so many people take for granted the kindness extended to them by others, and the prayers that I answer.

Luke 17:11-18 gives an example of this: “It happened that as I made My way towards Jerusalem, I crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As I entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met Me. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’

“Taking a good look at them, I said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’

“They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at My feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank me enough — and he was a Samaritan.

“I said, ‘Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?’ Then I said to him, ‘Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.'” (MSG modified to first person)

Sometimes the sinner is more grateful than My own children. Isn’t it often that way in your family also? Show your gratitude to all who love you, and do kind deeds to you. Just because someone has more money than you, don’t take it for granted that they “owe” you anything.

Your gratitude will cause people to want to bless you even more. When I see that you are thankful to Me for what I have done for you, it causes Me to want to give you the desires of your heart. I want to make you still happier, because I see that you appreciate what I have done for you.

If you send someone a gift, and they do not even acknowledge receiving it, you will not be quick to send them another gift. Or, if you send payment on a debt, or a promise note, and it is not acknowledged, you will be reticent to send the next payment.

Many call upon Me in the day of trouble, and then they wonder why I do not help them. It is because they didn’t thank Me for the last time I helped them. Unless you deposit money in the bank, you have no authority to write checks.

Start making “deposits” today by praising Me and showing your gratitude for all I have done for you. Count your blessings! And stop grumbling! And you will be surprised how things will change for you!

He Sent Me Back to Tell You by Gwen Shaw
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