After the great victory over the Philistines in 1 Samuel 7:12, Ebenezer – the stone of help was set up to celebrate and mark how far the Lord had helped the children of Israel. This was done to show appreciation and gratitude to God for His present help and continued support in the future. The Bible records that Israel was engaged in a prolonged war that stretched over many generations, yet they made a point to appreciate God for the success at the end of every battle. So also, children of God must learn to express heartfelt gratitude to God in all circumstances.
One of the numerous benefits of expressing gratitude to God is the fact that it usually propels Him to do much more than we can imagine. Gratitude motivates God to exceed the limits of His initial action. The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:12-19 is a good example of this. Luke 17:17-19 says:
“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”
In the story above, ten lepers cried to Jesus for mercy to heal and cleanse them of their leprosy. Jesus did something strange; He did not pray for them as expected, but rather, told them to go and show themselves to the priests as required by the law according to Leviticus 14:2-7. While the lepers were on their way to the priests, they suddenly discovered their leprosy had vanished. Immediately, one of them turned back to appreciate and glorify God. It was at this point that the one who returned to give thanks got something beyond his healing – he was made whole, such that there would be no scar or mark left to indicate that he had ever been leprous.
Sincere, heartfelt appreciation must be prompt and timely. Any show of gratitude that comes later than necessary is usually not acceptable. We need to have value for genuine thanksgiving and develop a grateful heart, so that expressions of gratitude will begin to flow out of our heart, mouth and actions to God forever.
by Pastor E.A Adeboye
