Even though I don't personally look forward to winter, I do look forward to Thanksgiving because it is my favorite season of the year. Sure, I enjoy the scrumptious meals, family get-togethers and NFL football, but what a I really like is having a time set aside to reflect upon the goodness of God and praising Him from whom all blessings flow. On the whole, Americans enjoy the holiday, but ignore the One who deserves the credit for every good and perfect gift which comes down from above.

This decline of a thanksgiving spirit and omission of gratitude is disturbing, but it is nothing new. Our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, recognized this when he set forth a Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1863. In part, he said, “We (Americans) have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven;...we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God...It has seemed to me fit and proper...(to) therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States...to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” How we need this kind of spiritual leadership today in our nation! Pray for our leaders and vote for God-fearing individuals who will honor God and biblical principles.

A lack of thanksgiving was also apparent 2000 years ago. I've always been intrigued by the account of the 10 Lepers that is recorded in Luke 17:11-19. Jesus heals all ten of their leprosy, but only one returns to thank Him. Note with me 5 general truths from this passage.

1) Most People Want God's Blessing-(vs. 11-13)..."ten men were lepers...and they lifted up their voices and said, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us'". All ten of these guys were in a world of hurt. They had the incurable disease of leprosy. Without exception, they all wanted God to be good to them and rid them of this plague. I find that the same is true of people today. Virtually everyone wants God to be good to them (give them health, happiness, prosperity, long life, etc.).

2) All People Receive God's Blessings-(v. 14)..."and so it was that, as they went, they were (all) cleansed". Jesus did have mercy on these men, and He healed each one, all ten of them. The Bible teaches that God is good to all...”He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust”,(Mt. 5:45). Isn't that amazing when you stop and think about it?! God wouldn't have to, but He showers His blessings on everyone, regardless of whether we deserve it or not.

3) Few People Acknowledge God's Blessings-(v. 15)..."and (only) one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God". Though Christ had graciously healed all ten lepers, only one of them bothered to come back to Jesus and say thanks. Again, not much has changed in 2000 years. About 90% of all people will receive daily benefits from the good hand of God, and yet never stop to consider where they came from. Sadly I'm sure that still no more than 10% of the population will give heartfelt thanks to the One who gives them everything, even the very air they breathe, the lungs that filter it, and the heart that beats multiplied thousands of times each day.

4) Unlikely People Worship the God of Blessing- (v. 16).."and (he) fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan". Of the ten that Jesus healed, you would have thought that some of His nine Jewish brethern would have returned to thank and to worship Him. Instead, the one who was a foreigner, an outcast, came and gave praise and humble worship to the Lord Jesus. Even today, those who would seem to be most blessed by God, those who are wealthy, beautiful or handsome, educated, raised in a Christian home or nation...you would think they would be readily and regularly praising and worshipping the Giver of all gifts, but that is not the case. More often, it is the poor, the uneducated, the unpopular who are most thankful for their blessings, and are most likely to express their worship and praise.

5) Trusting People Enjoy the God of Blessing- (vs. 17-19)..."So Jesus answered and said, 'Where are the nine'?...and He said unto him, 'Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well'." Only one of the ten men returned to praise and worship Christ. The Samaritan was the only one who demonstrated saving faith in Jesus, and the Lord commended him for it, and pronounced him “well”, both physically and spiritually. You see, faith honors God and God honors faith. Only those who personally and humbly trust in Jesus Christ will be able to truly enjoy God's blessings, not only on earth, but for all eternity.

Jesus said, "Where are the nine"? I ask you, where are you today? I trust you are found in the grateful 10% instead of in the ungrateful 90%. I encourage you to readily and regularly engage in earnest, humble thanksgiving. May you have a Happy Thanksgiving, and live in the spirit of thanksgiving all year around.

"Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul; Thank you, Lord, for making me whole.
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me...Thy great salvation, so rich and free.!!!"

- Seth Sykes