What would you say a PROPER Thanksgiving Day looks like? Some might say there has to be a turkey involved, or that the Thanksgiving Day Parade is on television. Others say it is PROPER to watch the favorite football game after a huge meal. Certainly, it is a time to be thankful for our family, friends and many blessings that we enjoy throughout the year. But what does a PROPER Thanksgiving look like to the Lord?
“Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ so when He saw then, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a LOUD VOICE GLORIFIED GOD, and FELL DOWN ON HIS FACE AT HIS FEET, GIVING THANKS. And he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:12-16)
First of all, I want to admit that I know I am not great at thanking others for all the good things they do to bless us. If you have done something for me or have given me a gift and did not get a proper thank you, please forgive me. I often find myself praying, “Father, please thank so-and-so for me because I can’t thank them as well as You.” Maybe this is not a good prayer…but I do sincerely hope that the Lord will pour out on you all blessings that you cannot contain for all the good that you have done for me and my family.
Secondly, I was so impressed when I read that the leper fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him with a loud voice. This sounds a bit “over the top” at first, but then becomes a beautiful picture that we all can appreciate. How many of us say a simple, “Thank You, Jesus” for helping us with a problem or for giving us a blessing, and then go our merry way? Have you ever fallen on your face and screamed out your thanks and glorified God with a loud voice for anything? The Lord is still gracious and loving and merciful whether we thank Him properly or not, but how amazing it is when we literally pour out our hearts in praise and thanksgiving before Him! That is when the Lord can really do a great work in our life, like Jesus did for the leper who returned to thank Him properly.
”So Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ And He said to him, ‘Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.’” (Luke 17:19)
On this Thanksgiving Day, may we pour out our hearts in loud thanks to God, giving God the proper glory for all He has done for us!!