“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!!

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“Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; and to You the vow shall be performed. O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come. Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them…” (Psalm 65:1-3)

Is your praise and prayer awaiting Him? It is easy to run to the Lord when troubles arise and we need His help with something. But it is different to come to Him with praise and prayers in advance, before the storms of life fall upon us, knowing that when the trials inevitably come He will already be there with us. It is energizing to look forward to meet with Him when all is going well and we have no pressing needs to ask Him for. It is like standing in the foyer of His throne room with a bouquet of flowers “just because you love Him”, eagerly awaiting His arrival. It is a special treat for Him and a blessing for you too. And He will never turn you away. He will always invite you in to sup with Him and tarry a while in His presence.

Are you approaching His holy presence in anticipation of His visitation? Do you have iniquities that are prevailing against you that you need cleansing for? Are you being patient to allow Him to work in the way He sees best for you? Or do you send up a quick prayer and then hastily run on your way?

For those who prevail to enter His throne room, He has promised wonderful rewards as mentioned in Psalm 65–atonement for sin…being satisfied with the goodness of His house…answered prayer…your raging storms calmed…blessings of growth (spiritual)…abundance of good things…renewed joy and singing in your spirit.

Spend time in prayer and worship before the trials spring up. Wait on the Lord with eager anticipation! Praise Him in advance for the good things He is already working on in your life. Let your praises go up like a fragrant bouquet to Him. Pray Psalm 65 as a template to ask the Lord for the provisions you need in your life. Then, when He visits you, you will be blessed in ways you can’t fathom. (I’m preaching at myself too).

May you shout for joy and sing to the Lord today! And be sure to declare to others what good He does for you when He visits you.

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But what was I praying for? It seems that every member of my family is going through a struggle right now. Each one’s struggle is different, ranging from physical ailments and sickness to emotional stress and depression to thoughts of worry and anxiety, to spiritual discouragement and stagnant faith. I found myself repeatedly crying out to God, “Please heal us!” And the Lord’s response to me was unexpected, “Praise Me! There is healing in praise. Focus on Me right now, not on all the people you want to pray for. That will come later.”

Healing comes with praise? That seems different. I usually think of healing coming with fervent prayer. So, I looked into God’s Word and found several verses that speak of praise and healing going together.

“For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones…I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him and restore comforts to him…I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,’ says the LORD, And I will heal him.” Isaiah 57:15-19

The Lord is near to us when we humble ourselves in His presence, and He gives us the words to praise Him. He creates the fruit of our lips and speaks peace into our storm. No matter how far off you feel from God, right now, you can be brought near to Him through praise. And through that praise the Lord will bring healing and restoration to your body, soul and spirit.

And I especially liked these verses in Jeremiah 17:14-16,

“Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise. Indeed they say to me, ‘Where is the word of the LORD? Let it come now! As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd who follows You…You know what came out of my lips; it was right there before You.”

It is not easy to praise the Lord when things are hard, and when doubts creep in and say, “Where is the word of the LORD?” Don’t hurry away from the presence of the Lord. Tarry a while and wait patiently for Him to do what He wants to do. Focus on Him and press through your pain and frustration. Praise Him for who He is—your loving and gracious and powerful and majestic Heavenly Father. Then you will receive a breakthrough. Then you will be flooded with His peace that passes all understanding.

“He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:20-21

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