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One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

It’s one of the earliest lessons we learn in life: “Don’t forget to say thank you!” Where were the manners of the nine men who had been healed by Jesus but did not return to thank him? Didn’t their mothers ever teach them to say thank you?

What was missing from those nine men? It was more than just words of thanks missing from their lips. Faith was missing from their hearts. They saw Jesus as someone special and powerful; otherwise, they wouldn’t have called out to him in desperation. But comfort and healing for their skin was all they wanted.

We are very thankful for physical blessings that come from God. We may pray for God to heal us from illness, and we thank him profusely when he does. However, when we limit our requests to things only for the body and thank him only when we receive what is tangible and temporary, something’s missing. If the only reason we can sleep in peace at night is because we’re materially blessed, then we’re missing something. If the only reason I am thankful is because I have my basic needs and good health, then I’m missing something.

Thank God, with a sincere heart, that Jesus gives us all that was ever missing. He so generously gives comfort that lasts eternally because he has healed us of sin’s curse and condemnation. He makes us clean so we, covered by his grace, can be at peace with God. This moves us not just to say, “thank you,” but to live a life of thanks for all our Savior has done.

Thank you, Lord, for healing me of sin and death and giving me blessings beyond this life. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.