Everyday we are surrounded by what is known as the common grace of God. This is grace given to everyone; saved and unsaved just the same. It can be something like the breath in our lungs, or food on the table, or relationships with friends and family, or a job promotion, and much more. James 1:17 says it like this: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows. Meaning, if you are saved or not, “ALL” good things that come to you in life are from the Father and His common grace towards humanity.
Even as a Christians, the busyness of life and striving to reach the next rung on the ladder can be distracting and keep us from remembering to thank God and give Him praise. Especially this time of year when Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year seem to have us pulled in so many directions. I’m reminded of the passage in Luke 17 that says:
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered the village, he was
met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his
face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed?
Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him,
“Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
This group of ten would’ve been a mixture of Samaritans (not accepted by Jewish community and vise-versa), and Galileans (more of a mixed population between Jewish and Gentile communities). You see all ten lepers were healed, and although nine were too caught up in the miracle to give thanks to the Miracle Worker, God doesn’t remove the blessing (though he certainly could’ve), but rather still shows common grace even to those who don’t see it.
However, I want to draw your attention to the one who did stop, give thanks, and praise. First of all it was a Samaritan, you would think that if any would’ve stopped to give thanks and praise it would’ve been a Galilean, someone who aligned closer to the beliefs or was more accepted by the Jewish community. This would be like you as a christian and your non-christian friend experiencing something wonderful, then you rush off to tell others while your non-christian friend doesn’t rush off but rather praises God.
The fascinating part of this story is in verse 19 when God says “Rise and go your way, your faith has made you well.” Your faith has made you well is referring to the gift of salvation. This Samaritan who would’ve been the furthest from God is the only one who realizes the gift of grace that has been given. This realized grace is what draws the man to fall on his face and give thanks and praise to the Lord.
So my question to you in this season of thanksgiving is, do you realize the grace that has been given to you? Are you giving thanks and praise where it is due? Or are you simply caught up in the miracle that you’ve forgotten to praise the Miracle Worker?” Even if you fall into that last question, here is the good news. God is an inexhaustible well. His mercies are new every morning and there is still more grace to be had. Join me as we give thanks for this realized grace, not only in this season, but each and every day!
Written By: Jordan Hampton
