O give thanks to the Lord of Lords, who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:3,4  

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Luke 17:15-16  

Psalm 136 is known as a Psalm of praise to God the Creator and Redeemer of Israel. It has 26 verses, each of which end with “for his steadfast love endures forever.” Lists of the many things God has done, and expressing thanks for them. Verse 4 emphasizes that God alone does these wonders. He is all powerful and caring and loving of all people. As the people used this Psalm in worship they remembered all that God had done in bringing them out of Egypt into their own land. How He had protected and fed them.   

In Luke we have the familiar story of Jesus healing ten lepers of their leprosy. All Jesus does is tell them to go show themselves to the priests, which had to be done to show the leprosy was gone, and they are healed. We imagine that all ten of them are happy and joyful at this miraculous healing.  Nine go off to return to their homes. One, however, returns to the healer, to Jesus to say Thank You. One simple phrase, along with the action of prostration at Jesus’ feet. The last part of verse 16 says, that the one who gave thanks was a Samaritan. One not welcomed by the Jews of Israel. Yet he is the one who knew where the healing came from and to whom he should give thanks.   

In Jesus, healing and redemption are intended for the whole world, for everyone, everywhere without regard for nationality, or ethnicity. Jesus saw people in need of healing, and He healed them. His whole life was one of healing, whether physical or spiritual. His life was for the redemption of all, not just one group getting out of Egypt, but for everyone who believes. For this we should continually be giving thanks.  

… Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given
Jesus Christ, His Son 

… And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich"
Because of what the Lord has done for us 

Song by Dan Moen, 1990  

Healing Lord, you bring wholeness and restoration to the nations. Your wonders never cease. You bind up the broken-hearted, lift up the lowly, cleanse us of our sins and even raise the dead. Amazing and loving God—healer of wounds that not even we understand—may we approach life with unending faith that your mercy will heal all our wounds.. Thank you, Lord of life, for all you have done, all you do, and for all goodness and grace that is to come. Amen.   

Chris Gabel 

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party