Today's Word 🌱

"I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."
- Psalm 69:30

Have you ever heard the expression "Ungratefulness is worse than witchcraft" ? I have heard this being said time and time again where persons share about having helped or nurtured others, only to be on the receiving end of quite the opposite - acts of unkindness, carelessness or neglect. While we all may have benefitted from the kind care of another at one point in time, many either felt they were entitled to it anyway, or were too wrapped up in their own self to appreciate the effort of another. Imagine the irony when the opportunity presents itself to help someone who has helped us, and we let it pass us. While being helped doesn't necessarily mean you are indebted for life to the person who helped us, sometimes we are guilty of causing hurt and disappointment to others when we behave in a way that shows outright thoughtlessness and disrespect, or demonstrates ungratefulness.

I remember two incidents in the Bible when I think of the theme of gratitude, or rather its opposite, ungratefulness.

Saying thanks means a lot

In Luke 17: 11-19,  Jesus heals ten lepers who come to him asking for pity, mercy and healing. Anyone who is familiar with the disease of leprosy knows that historically, in addition to it being in a state of physical decay, it positioned you to be in a state of isolation, being judged and scorned. Jesus takes pity, and tell them to go show themselves to the priests and they were healed along the way. What a joyous time it must have been for the lepers, seeing this miracle of healing in their previously condemned bodies and being declared whole once again by the religious authorities. One leper decides to return to Jesus to say thanks. Jesus notices that only one man out of the group of ten saw it fit to return to express gratitude, and Jesus affirms his faith. For the reader, it seems like such a simple act to say thanks, but based on the odds that appear in this story, it does make us reflect if these odds still play out, even today.

When complaining overrules gratitude

In the book of Exodus, we encounter the Israelites. God has seen their plight, raised up a deliverer and orchestrates their deliverance. In fact, He performs one miracle after the next for them as He leads them out and toward better. He parts the Red Sea for them to escape (Exodus 14), He provides food daily from heaven (Exodus 16), He provides a pillar of fire at night and a cloud by day to comfort and guide (Exodus 13:21-22), and he lengthens the life on their clothing and shoes so that wouldn't wear out for the entire period of time they spent in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 29:5), among many other miracles of caring thoughtfulness. Yet, time and time again, we see the Israelites complain, lose faith and trust, and even turn away from God and yearn after false gods. It is no surprise, and indeed says a lot  when God chooses to describe them as 'stiff-necked' in Exodus 32:9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people." 

In fact, in several other parts of the Bible where this adjective is used, we see God often using the word 'destroy' in the same sentence, showing the way God feels about 'stiff-neckedness' in His people (see these Bible references by clicking here). Out of curiosity, I searched the definition of stiff-necked, which is defined as 'haughty and stubborn'. I cannot help but add my personal definition of 'stiff-neckedness' to this description. May I suggest it as 'the inability to turn ones head to look back, and see all that God has done for us'.

Stiff-neckedness: the inability to turn ones head to look back and all around us, to see all that God has done for us.

Conclusion: Surely, when we truly take the time to look back, and even all around us, and reflect, allowing the cloud of forgetfulness and circumstances to clear long enough, we will eventually realize that throughout this life of struggle and strife on this sinful earth, there are still, many instances where we can see God's providence, His guidance, His mercy and love toward us. What a beautiful and joyful feeling it is to recognize that we are truly not alone, and that we have a heavenly Father who still cares and still intervenes in our lives, despite our inability sometimes to detect and trace his hand. May we truly be able to echo the psalmist's words found in the scripture for today: 

"I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."

- Psalm 69:30

 

World Gratitude Day

Today is World Gratitude Day (September 21 every year). Today, I want to encourage us, to take some time to reflect. What has God done for me? What have others done for me? How can I avoid the undesirable state of ungratefulness? How can I be intentional about showing gratitude, to God and to others? Let us adopt an attitude of gratitude, not only today but everyday.

Prayer: Father, thank You. Thank You for both the seen and unseen blessings You provide for us everyday. Open our eyes so that we may see. Open our hearts so that we may appreciate. Loosen our necks so that we may be willing to turn and recognize everything. Forgive us Father. we have been stiff-necked. Work on our hearts and minds and help us as we seek to develop an attitude of praise and thankfulness in this life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Do enjoy this musical selection. It is a song I have heard as a child growing up, and it continues to be one of those beautiful songs that replays in my mind, reminding me of the need to stop and be thankful. 🎧🙂🙏🏼

Stop and Smell the Roses [Mac Davis]