¹ It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name, O Most High,
² proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,

Psalm 92:1,2

It’s natural for people to put a lot of attention on what we don’t have or on what we need but it takes concentrated effort to direct our attention to giving thanks. There are numerous studies on the physical, mental and emotional health benefits of showing gratitude but there is also a significant spiritual impact when we withhold or give thanks.

The Psalmist noted that it is good to praise the Lord. Praise is one way we show thanks to God. As a parent, I remind my children that it is polite to say please and thank you. Without a thankful attitude we become ungrateful takers. This is a bad habit to fall into spiritually and physically.

¹⁷ Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸ Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:17,18

In Luke, ten Lepers pursued Jesus as he entered the town and cried out for Him to heal their painful, isolating disease. In Bible times, leprosy was a mysterious disease and the uncertainty behind what caused this illness isolated lepers from their family and society. The advance stages of leprosy was very painful. Their cries for healing were genuine and their belief that Jesus of Nazareth could heal them was real.

Jesus tells them “Go show yourself to the priest.” In other words, you are healed! It was the requirement of the law for a leper to go to the temple and have a priest verify that they were no longer stricken with leprosy. By faith they went to see the priest with the anticipation of being reunited with family and friends.

We don’t know if it was their exceeding joy or surprise at the fact they were cleansed, but only one of the ten returned to Jesus to give thanks to God. When we lose the desire to be thankful we develop an entitlement attitude that will quench our faith the next time we have a need.

Remember, in all things it is good to praise the Lord! Don’t allow what you need or what request God hasn’t answer yet to keep you from giving thanks to Him. Thanks giving tills the ground so the seed of faith can break forth into a harvest!