Remembering Thanks

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 12:05 pm Post subject: Remembering Thanks

Remembering Thanks

Scripture:

Then he [Naaman] went down, and washed in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God [Elisha]; and his flesh was restored, like the flesh of a little child: and he was made clean. And returning to the man of God, with all his train, he came, and stood before him, and said: In truth, I know there is no other God, in all the earth, but only in Israel: I beseech you, therefore, take a blessing of your servant. But he [Elisha] answered: As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And when he pressed him, he still refused. And Naaman said: As you will: but I beseech you, grant to me, your servant, to take from hence the burden of two mules of earth: for your servant will not henceforth offer holocaust, or victim, to other gods, but to the Lord.
(2 Kings 5:14-17)

Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel: Wherein I labor even unto bonds, as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. If we believe not, he continues faithful, he cannot deny himself.
(2 Timothy 2:8-13)

And it came to pass, as he was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off. And lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Whom when he saw, he said: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God. And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks. And this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said: Were not ten made clean? And where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger. And he said to him: Arise, go your way; for your faith has made you whole.
(Luke 17:11-19)

Reflection:

It is our nature to react with frustration, sorrow, or outrage as we face tribulation and affliction. As we look to remove our discomforts, we are quick to raise up our voices to God, but do we give equal or even greater attention to the blessings which yield our joy and comforts? As we lift up our petitions, do we also remember to offer our thanks?

In prayer, it is right and just to lift up our thanks for all the blessings God brings and the many wonderful ways He works within our lives. We should not take for granted even our smallest comforts, nor should we assume that our accomplishments are solely from our personal endeavors. Yes, through the gift of freewill, we influence that which surrounds us, but we must also consider where we might be if it were not for the hand of God and all which He has put in motion.

When a trial, tribulation, or affliction is lifted from our shoulders, we feel elation, but do we also consider lifting up our gratitude? We must remember, our very life is not completely our own, for we did not put it in motion. We must also remember, we are participants within a creation of which we were given stewardship; therefore, we should remember to give thanks to our Creator for all which He put in motion to sustains us.

Our temptation is to focus on only the comforts and fortune, or lack thereof, we experience in the moment. Our concerns are raised in relation to what we perceive to be missing. We often take for granted the many wonders of all which sustains us. Indeed, as responsible stewards, we must pay attention to the moment, but we must also look to the lessons of our past and the opportunities of our future.

As we examine this flow of our lives, we must observe that all our blessings do not come from our hands or solely from our intentions. It is right and just, then, to look to our Creator to help us navigate His creation. It is also right and just to lift up our thanks and praise for all the goodness and love we seek from Him and the blessings we receive as we live within His creation.

Even when we consider what comes from the works of our hands, we must also consider what enabled our accomplishments. Yes, we have freewill by which to choose our pursuits and accomplishments, but we must remember, the talents by which we endeavor were placed within us by our Creator. As we accomplish through them, we must give thanks to the One who placed them within us.

When we receive good fortune or any weight is lifted from us, it is right to give thanks. We must also consider what was done for us, not only so we might survive within this world, but also that which yields to us the opportunity for eternal salvation. If it were not for the sacrifice made for our iniquities, our eternity would have no hope. Let us, then, remember to lift up our hearts, not only in petition, but more importantly, with our expressions of love for God along with our thanks and praise for all the blessings we receive through the great love God has for us.

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we seek to give thanks to our Lord and Savior?

In what ways do we give thanks and praise for what was done for our eternal salvation?

In what ways do we overlook our blessings and fail to offer thanks to God?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier