Psalms 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” A grateful heart always acknowledges and never forgets God’s blessings but still references them and, as such, thanking and praising God at all times. “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” (Psalms 103:1-4)
Being grateful for what God has done will prompt your heart to be cheerful, like medicine and health to your spirit, soul, and body. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Also, see Proverbs 15:13. No matter the challenges, when you remember how God has rescued and helped out in your previous challenges, that will give you strength, comfort you, and boost your faith in Him. If He has done it before, He can always do it again because He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever; Amen (see Hebrews 13:8)
God deliberately searches for grateful hearts, those whose hearts are perfect towards Him (see 2 Chronicles 16:9). When you are thankful for what God has done and not focus and be complaining about what you are yet to receive from Him, it makes Him happy, and such an act of gratitude provokes other blessings from His heart.
The Ten Lepers
Among the ten lepers healed when Jesus said they should go and show themselves to the priests, it was only one of the ten that went back and laid at the feet of Jesus; he thanked Him and glorified Him. Jesus asked, were not all ten people cleansed? the other nine did not return to thank Him for their healing. So, Jesus said to the one that came to thank Him, go your way; your faith has made you whole (see Luke 17:11-19).
Grateful Heart: Healing and Wholeness
To be cleansed from leprosy and to be made whole are two different things. The other nine were healed (make well from the disease) from their leprosy while the one that came to thank Jesus was made whole, that is, he was not only healed but fully repair and rebuild, complete soundness in his body should there be any other hidden sickness, to be full of joy.
We should desire wholeness rather than healing. Healing is just one aspect of Jesus, but wholeness is receiving the fullness of Jesus. Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
The Kingdom of God and His righteousness is the completeness of Jesus, which, when you seek with all your heart, then other things will be yours. Salvation, healing, joy, peace (that can’t be explained, beyond human reasoning, (see John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7), relationship and fellowship with Him, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and many more that come in wholeness as a package (see Matthew 6:33).
Praise The LORD With A Grateful Heart
God keeps you alive so you can praise Him. “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalms 150:6).
You are not better than those who have lost their lives to covid-19, so the breath of life you have today worth being grateful for. God knows the thought He has towards you, thought of peace and not evil, but to give you a better future (see Jeremiah 29:11).
God’s desire is for us to always thank and praise Him. For Who He is and for what He has done. And that makes God feel glorified. Psalm 50:23 says, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me. And to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.“
Be grateful, don’t be like the nine lepers. Embrace Jesus. And wholeness shall be yours just as the leper that was made whole. God bless you.