A Song of Thanksgiving (part 2) 1 Ch 16:8-36; Lk 17:11-19

by Pastor Cesar Crisostomo |  November 25, 2018

1 Chronicles 16:8-36; Luke 17:11-19

We are made to give glory to God. The highest use of our mouth and lips and voice is to give Him praise. We need to give God glory, praise and thanksgiving. Psalm 29:2 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” Psalm 107:1-2 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say this.” But often we are like the nine out of ten men who was healed of their leprosy, healed of their debilitating disease, but only one returned to thank Jesus. Jesus said in response, “Where not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17).
The men with leprosy did as they were instructed and all ten of them were healed, but then nine of them went their separate ways. Perhaps they left to celebrate their healing. Maybe they intended to share the good news with their loved ones. Maybe they were just excited to rejoin their family, their community and begin their new lives. The tenth leper likely had similar plans. I’m sure he did, but he had something else to do first. According to Luke 17:15-16, he “came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him.” Jesus was moved by the man’s response, which must have been almost as rewarding to the man as the healing itself. Because he went the extra mile to express his thankfulness, the tenth leper was able to connect with the Lord in a life changing intimate way.
Often we are quick to ask God for help during times of crisis, but we are very slow to offer Him thanks after He intervenes on our behalf. We should be devoted in our praise to God as we are in crying out to Him for help. It is truly amazing how many people receive so much from God with never a thought of thanking Him. But people will thank their “lucky stars” but not give thanks to God nor sing praises to His Name.
Being genuinely thankful doesn’t come natural or easy for us and that is why we are commanded in the Bible to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20). In the middle of everything, in the midst of plenty, in little or not having anything at all (Habakkuk 3:17-18), decide and choose to give God thanks. I really believe that having an attitude of thanksgiving protects our spirit and safeguards our heart from being bitter and blaming God and people.
How quickly most of us forget the goodness of God, the blessings He has given to us daily. Truly you and I have been on the receiving end of the love, grace, mercy, goodness and greatness of God. Therefore, we need to be consistent in going to our Heavenly Father and give Him praise and thanks.

I am thankful.

1. Thankful that God really loves you and me. I am thankful for the love of God. You and I really need to believe this. We need to personalize the great salvation you and I have in Jesus.
· Psalm 18:49 “Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O Lord; I will sing praises to your name.”
2. Thankful for the guidance and leading of God, His Holy Spirit in my life and yours.
· 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, David remembers the greatness of God in his life. He remembers dealing with the lions, the bears, dealing with the giant Goliath. It’s not what David does, but it’s what God does. David wanted the whole world to know and thankful for the goodness of God (1 Chronicles 16:8-9, 34).
3. Thankful for the believers, the familia of Island Hope.