What does our society praise? In recent weeks, the news has reported:
Hollywood celebrities praise Nancy Pelosi for denouncing President Trump. (due to foul language in the article, a link is not included in this post).
A little league pitcher was praised for congratulating his opponent for scoring a home run off his pitch. (Click here for news article)
A restaurant in Pennsylvania was praised for its extravagant Halloween decorations on the theme of the Ghostbusters movie. (Click here for news article)
President Trump was praised by some for calling out the United Nations on its religious hypocrisy and for calling on the USA to do more to help persecuted Christians around the globe. (Click here for news article)
These are just samples of the news from our society and what it is praising. The good. The bad. The ugly. We also have a different example of praise and thanksgiving --
Charles Wesley wrote his first hymn just three days after his salvation conversion. That hymn was “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” What a testimony of his salvation and His great Savior! As the years passed, he is said to have written 6,500 hymns and gospel songs on every conceivable subject. (Source: Encyclopedia of Illustrations #9532).
What do we need to further develop to become a person with greater gratitude and thankfulness?
3 Character Traits to Develop for a Thankful Heart:
HONESTY (v. 14-15)
This man with leprosy saw he was healed; that he was hopeless without Jesus. He could not have healed himself! It has been said, “tell the truth…it is easier to remember!” This statement applies to what we say about others AND ALSO about what we say about ourselves.
The healed leper didn’t deny his past and simply forget what Jesus had done for him.
He didn’t take credit for his healing. You know the drill — “it was the herbs I ate,” or, “it was the exercise routine that healed me!”
He allowed a true view of his past & present to shape a proper response: “I was without hope and now I am healed. Praise be to God!” His reasoning was all about who he was/is before meeting Jesus and after meeting Jesus.
Our culture posts pics of ourselves (selfies) on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and other various websites. We can tend to look at these posts of others and think, “I wish my life was like theirs!” After all, they have:
More comments…
More likes…
More shares…
Their pictures are amazing…
They look amazing…
Be honest with yourself! The average person only posts that perfect picture of themselves, only talks about the exciting things they know will get responses, likes, and shares – what will give them the most affirmation and positive ATTENTION! Don’t look for self-worth in how many likes you received on social media! This focus is selfish and proud.
Your worth is so great in the eyes of Jesus that He knew all your faults perfectly — and yet, He still died to pay the ransom for your sin knowing what He knew!
UNASHAMED (v. 15)
This newly healed leper gave glory to God with a loud voice!
“Becky” prepared a pasta dish for a dinner party she was giving. In her haste, however, she forgot to refrigerate the spaghetti sauce, and it sat on the counter all day. She was worried about spoilage, but it was too late to cook up another batch. She called the local Poison Control Center and voiced her concern. They advised Becky to boil the sauce again. That night, the phone rang during dinner, and a guest volunteered to answer it. Her face dropped as she called out, "It's the Poison Control Center. They want to know how the spaghetti sauce turned out." (Source: Gene Solomon)
There are things we often get embarrassed about and don’t want to mention at all…this man (who had leprosy — a disease the general populous would run from in horror) speaks loudly with praise to God! Think of it this way: someone saying with a loud voice — I don’t have the black plague anymore! Praise be to God!! One would wonder if there would be some wanting verification of this healing before having close contact. A thankful person is unashamed of giving praise to God…regardless of others’ acceptance (or lack thereof)!
HUMILITY (v. 16)
This Samaritan feel down at the feet of Jesus. A Jew. Jews & Samaritans did not associate with one another. Apparently, the other 9 lepers were Jews. There would be no other time that these hostiles would dwell together, but among lepers. As lepers, all distinction of race was removed! Jesus was a Jew as well. Yet, only the Samaritan stayed to give Jesus praise. Perhaps this man had a greater sense of the mercy he received from Jesus? Nonetheless, it is interesting to note that the only person expressing thanks to Jesus for this saving act from a slow death…was a Samaritan. Can you imagine the humility this Samaritan had to bow before a Jew to give praise…with his face down at the dirty feet of Jesus? Proverbs 16:18-19; James 4:10; I Peter 5:6
A thankful person stands out (v. 17-19)
Read these popular advertising slogans:
“You deserve a break today” (McDonalds)
“Have it your way” (Burger King)
“Be All You Can Be” (US Army)
“Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun” (DoubleMint Gum)
The slogans all point to what I want, who I am, and my own pleasure or enjoyment. A thankful person is not known for selfishness, pride, or lying…a thankful person stands out in the crowd. Remember, only 1 of 10 men healed of leprosy returned to Jesus to thank Him! A thankful heart stands out in a crowd!!
This person will be inconvenienced to express thanks. Don’t you think this Samaritan had family or friends he wanted to see? …but he chose to go to Jesus first.
This person will swallow personal pride to express thanks. A Samaritan at the feet of Jesus giving thanks!
A truly thankful person will be swift to acknowledge the work of another person and praise it – instead of taking credit for it themselves!
“So much has been given to me that I have no time to ponder that which I don't have.”—Helen Keller
“Giving thanks is not a matter of feeling thankful, it is a matter of obedience.”—Joni Erickson Tada (she is quadriplegic)
“The pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts—nevertheless, [they] set aside a day of thanksgiving.”—H. W. Westermeyer
“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.”—Unknown