DON’T FORGET TO REMEMBER
“One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
Luke 17:15-19 (NLT)
These ten desperate men needed help. They were sick. Leprosy had stolen their relationships, health, dignity and hope. Isolated from society and abandoned by loved ones, they had no future. They needed mercy, and that’s what they cried out for. Their cry of Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! (Luke 17:13) was met by a provision. All ten men were miraculously healed from their terminal disease, their skin restored, their suffering erased. But then something strange happens—only one returned to thank Jesus.
If you’ve been a human for any time, you know we’re fickle people. Our memories are fleeting, our needs always pressing, and our hearts often forgetful. Once the weight of unanswered prayer, an overdue bill, an unhealed illness, or an unfulfilled longing is lifted, we often move forward, excited and relieved that the tension has passed. But if we move too quickly, we can forget who it was that met our needs. It is easy to forget to remember.
God is so good. Every day is filled with His kindness, and His mercies are new every morning. In the rush of life’s demands, however, we sometimes lose sight of Him. The secret to a life filled with celebration is to remember—to consciously slow down and see both the big and small ways the Lord has been faithful in life yesterday and today. That man healed from leprosy understood this. He understood that there was only one giver of good gifts, and his heart overflowed with gratitude.
APPLICATION: Remembering God’s faithfulness fuels our faith and hope and causes celebration. Spend time asking the Lord to show you the big and small ways He’s changing your life. Thank Him for those things.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for all the obvious and unobvious ways You have helped, protected and saved me. Thank You for who You are and what You do. May I never become familiar with Your faithfulness. In your beautiful name, Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?