DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: DECEMBER 14 GOD LOOKS FORWARD TO OUR GRATITUDE SCRIPTURE: Psalms 105: 1; 145: 10; Luke 17: 12 – 19
One of the most hurting behaviour of a man to man is ingratitude. Every average person hardly withstands the pains when one he or she had helped refused to appreciate the kind gestures. Returning complaint for a good gesture kills morale. When a person genuinely helped another person, words of appreciation is usually expected from the person helped.
God can be hurt too when human beings return grumblings, murmurings, bitter complaints etc., to Him instead of words of thanksgiving. At a time in the Old Testament, God’s heart was kindled, that is God was upset against Israelites for murmuring (Numbers 11: 1-3). God looks forward to our gratitude all the time. We must tell Him we appreciate Him in things done for us. We must not tell people our woes but tell them the good things God has done, as well as the one He is doing for us. This is gratitude. We will see in Psalms 105:1 where we are enjoined not only to give God thanks but to make His good deed done to us known to all mankind.
By observation, there can’t be any place Christians annoy God like failing to appreciate Him. A man who doesn’t appreciate people from a grateful heart is evil and should be avoided. Ii is likely that the reasons many things don’t come on the ways of some Christians easily is because they are more of ingrates than being filled with grateful hearts. Until we know that the more we show God gratitude, the more we will be blessed of Him, certain things might not come on our ways.
Ingratitude offends God as it does to human beings. Jesus Christ expressed shock over failure of the nine lepers healed on their ways for never cared to come back to Him for appreciation. The only one out of the ten who came back appreciating Jesus was given a double blessing as seen in Luke 17: 12-19. Expression of thanksgiving is gratitude shown. As we approach celebration of this year’s Christmas, let us stop complaining of hard times, but be thankful to God for the gift of Jesus every day.
PRAYER:
ALMIGHTY FATHER, I learnt here how it is painful to you when I fail to thank you for all you do for me. I plead for your grace upon me to be grateful to you henceforth, in Jesus name.
CONTACT US?* You can contact us for prayer requests or discussion through ubasimon341@gmail.com
Bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch