Raise Your Voice

“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.” Luke 17:11-16Appreciation suggests acknowledgement that someone has done something above and beyond one’s expectations. Usually you might send a note, make a call, or send gifts or flowers as well as other acts to express thanks.In Luke’s gospel we find the story of ten highly contagious men with a devastating disease of the skin and nerves. They saw Jesus and yelled “Jesus, Master, have pity on us”! These men apparently knew or heard of Jesus and sought compassion from Him. They did not ask Jesus to heal them they wanted sympathy they wanted Jesus to feel sorry for their suffering. Instead what they received was far better than they could have hoped. Unfortunately only one of them understood the full magnitude of what he had just received and as such he turned around, went back, fell at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him. Where are the nine others?It’s easy to take Christ for granted and we do so when we fail to convey the respect and honor He so well deserves. There are things we may not have asked Him for and yet He has shown us favor giving us far better than we could hope. The healed leper not only thanked Jesus, he praised Him “in a loud voice”. Jesus is not asking you to yell it from the rooftops or maybe He is. The bottom line is this; everyday we have been given grace and mercy and that alone should render voices lifted up in praise to Him for all He has done and continues to do.“How can I say thanks for the thingsYou have done for me?Things so undeserved yet You gaveTo prove Your love for meThe voices of a million angelsCould not express my gratitudeAll that I am, and ever hope to beI owe it all to TheeTo God be the glory, to God be the gloryTo God be the glory for the things He has doneWith His blood He has saved meWith His power He has raised meTo God be the glory for the things He has doneJust let me live my life andLet it be pleasing Lord to TheeAnd if I gain any praise, let it go to CalvaryWith His blood He has saved meWith His power He has raised meTo God be the glory for the things He has done”(Lyrics by Andrae Crouch)