The Ten Lepers

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God” Luke 17:15

Of the ten lepers that Jesus healed only one turned around and gave God the glory. What happened to the other nine? Why did they not do the same? There is a natural ungratefulness that rests in the human heart.

There is a tendency to pray, receive, and then go on our way. God hears and answers but sometimes we go on our way. In our busyness we fail to stop, turn from the way we were going and give God the glory.

If we fail to glorify God then don’t we dismiss his goodness towards us? Yet, if we have a heart such as the one who turned around then do we truly give God the glory due his name. To me this shows two hearts. One thankful and nine who were not truly. Certainly, we could assume that any of the nine were thankful but they failed to show it, to demonstrate it. Demonstrating gratitude then reflects our hidden hearts…

When God from heaven hears our prayer and helps us out… what is our response? Are we aware? Is our heart broken enough, our situation bad enough, and our longing for help so that we are truly thankful when help arrives? Or do we take the goodness of God for granted? Do we dismiss a relationship with God by turning our back to him and walking away?

One leper responded with an acknowledgement of praise and glory to God. A response not kept to himself but spoken and declared to others around him his joy and his thankfulness.

‘Father, on so many occasions throughout the day you heal this leper, this sinner. You teach, guide, rebuke, and help me through common activities and through the rough patches. Lord, may I and our friends who read this ever have a heart to stop whatever we are doing or going and give you the glory and honor due your name. Not in secret but in words and actions that others can hear and know your might, your goodness, and your faithfulness. Then may you draw others hearts towards you so that they also may glorify your name.’