If we can glean any one thing from this passage, it is this: God expects us to say thank you when He does whatever He does to help us. Just like Jesus asking why the other nine lepers never came back to say “thanks”, you can be sure God asks the same question today. Every good and perfect gift is always available whenever we have a need (2 Peter 1:2-4). The very least we can do is to follow the example of the healed Samaritan. With a loud voice, unashamed and not caring what others think, we should let God know how much we appreciate His help, because without it, we’re hopelessly lost and undone. Think about it.   

Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from God to provide whatever it is we need – consistently (James 1:17).  

That being the case, it’s tragic when Christians forget to say “thank You” to their heavenly Father. Every good and perfect gift means exactly that – every one of them is from God through grace. Our righteousness before God is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Everything good and everything we need comes from God, starting with our salvation. From there, out into eternity we will forever be the undeserving recipients of God’s grace, mercy, kindness, love, guidance, forgiveness, patience, etc.       

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. 2 Timothy 3:1-2

An unthankful heart is one of the declared signs of the end-times. You see it everywhere, and not just out in the world. You see it inside the body of Christ as well. This month Americans will celebrate the national holiday called Thanksgiving. Study American history, and you’ll see this annual event isn’t about eating too much turkey (which is what we seem to do no matter what)! Initially, it was supposed to be a day set aside to offer thanksgiving to God for all of His bountiful blessings, something which those early European settlers felt the need to do. They wanted to acknowledge the hand of God in their everyday lives, and thank Him for it. And even though it’s an American holiday and tradition, it’s not just something only Americans should practice. It’s all through the Bible. It’s for every Christian, no matter what nationality they are, or what their lot in life may be. Every believer everywhere should make it a habit to stay thankful, because every day is a gift from God. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Everyday multitudes of people die and go up to heaven or down to hell – forever. And in the majority of cases, the deceased died unsaved and unprepared to face the consequences of their choices. Protecting a thankful heart is therapeutic. It keeps our hearts light and full of joy, focused on the realities of life, death, blessing and cursing (Deuteronomy 30:19). We’re able to effectively and successfully navigate problems that come against us from the devil, or the world he is the god of

(2 Corinthians 4:4). Each day, we should be thanking God for another day to serve Him. I try to do it every morning, and I hope you do, too.  

Because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools. Romans 1:21-22.  

Read all of Romans chapter 1. It perfectly describes the world in which we live today. Note that a lack of gratitude is one of the telling traits of those who don’t know God. Also note the word “became” in verse 21. That means this is a process that begins with an unthankful attitude. An ungrateful heart starts one on a pathway to destruction. It opens the door to all kinds of demonic deception. Maintaining an attitude of gratitude insulates us from so much evil out there in the world. It keeps everything in perspective. We know nothing is too dire that God can’t come through for us. We know nothing is too terrible or tempting to lose our soul over. We know no sin of any kind is worth the eternal penalty the sinner will one day have to pay – spiritual death

(Romans 6:23). These are truths we need to remind ourselves of daily. One of the best ways we do that is by taking time – as much as necessary – each day to lift our hands in thanksgiving to God, because no matter how bad things may seem, God is never the source or reason for the problems in our lives. To the contrary, He is always available to comfort, console, encourage, support and when necessary, gently correct. He loves us. Slowly read and think about what is said in Romans 8:31-39. If God be for us, who can be against us? The answer is clear. No one.  

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalms 100:4

Next time you enter your prayer closet, remember what David knew and declared thousands of years ago. Instead of complaining to God about all we don’t have, we should come into His presence full of thanks for the good things He has done, and continues to do for us. If nothing else, start with the fact that Jesus, our Creator and God, chose to leave heaven to become flesh and blood to pay for our sins (Philippians 2:5-11). He died a horrible death of crucifixion, then spent three days and nights in hell to purge us and give us the opportunity to spend eternity with Him, instead of an eternity with the devil in the lake of fire (Acts 2:27-31/Revelation 20:10,15). That alone is enough reason to stay thankful all the days of our life, but there’s so much more! When the Bible says every good and perfect gift comes from God, that’s the truth. Period. Nothing good comes from anywhere else in our lives, so act like it, talk like it and live like it! Put a smile on your face and some spring in your step. Even if things are hard down here, eternity is on the horizon. Jesus is coming soon, whether we live out our lives naturally, or get taken up in the rapture, we’re only a few short years from heaven forever.  

Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Look what these two verses tell us. To summarize: complain about nothing, worry about nothing, pray about everything. Does that sound like the life you’re living now? Does it sound like that for me? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no, and I’m sure you can say the same. We all need to do better, because the giving of thanks is one of the most effective ways to counter the temptation to worry. Worry is just another word for fear, and fear is nothing more than the conviction that one or more of God’s promises will fail us in our time of need. If the Bible says we can come to a place where we’re not anxious (worried) about anything, it's not only possible, but expected! Just like what Jesus said about those 10 lepers who miraculously got healed. Ten got healed, but only one came back to say, “thank You”. God doesn’t put stories and statements like these in the Bible unless we’re capable of knowing what to do and then doing it. He will never allow the devil to tempt us beyond our ability to successfully resist (1 Corinthians 10:13). That being the case, there’s nothing the enemy can do to us if we maintain a thankful heart, using our praise and worship to drown out all the lies of our dead-to-sin flesh, the evil world system and the devil himself.  

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

We should be doing what the Bible tells us to do. We should be blessing God with thanksgiving and praise, exactly as these verses indicate. Nothing less. God is worthy of it, and He expects it from us on a daily basis. So, as we approach this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, I encourage you to take time to meditate on these and many other verses that say what we need to know and remember. Turkey or no turkey, God is worthy to be praised and thanked, all the days of our life.  

Never forget this truth: YOU WILL LOSE WHAT YOU ARE NOT THANKFUL FOR!