“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” -Psalm 69:30, ESV, emphasis added
Luke 17 tells the story of Jesus coming upon 10 lepers. With pity for them, Jesus tells them to go show themselves to the priests. As they leave, all 10 are miraculously healed of their leprosy.
But though 10 men are healed of this horrible, debilitating disease, only one runs back to Jesus, falls at His feet, and thanks Him.
“Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’” -Luke 17:17-18
In the next chapter, Jesus heals a blind beggar. Upon regaining his sight, Scripture says the beggar, “followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God (Luke 18:43, emphasis added).”
Jesus offered these men the free gift of physical healing, and (for at least two of them) their gratitude was not silent. They publicly praised Jesus for what He had done. When others saw it, they praised God, too.
How do we respond?
So what is the proper response when Jesus offers an even greater gift—the gift of eternal salvation? The reasonable response to such an indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15) is outward praise and vocal thanksgiving.
This is the heart of missions: believers, who are overwhelmed with gratitude because of the saving grace God offers, cannot help but tell others—including those in other nations—about the Lord’s extraordinary love.
Jesus commands His followers to go make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). But believers don’t just follow this commission out of obedience; they respond out of gratitude.
Throughout Scripture, the act of making God’s name known to the world is accompanied by a posture of thanksgiving.
“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” -Psalm 9:1, emphasis added
“Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O Lord, And I will sing praises to Your name.” -Psalm 18:49, NASB, emphasis added
When believers give thanks to God, praising His name, others will hear. Praise is not meant to be private or silent. It is meant to be shared with the nations so that all will know how glorious and marvelous the Lord our God is.
How are you expressing your thankfulness for God’s gift of salvation? Do others know how deeply grateful you are to God by your words and actions?
Proclaim His name with thanksgiving. Magnify God with a heart of gratitude so that others in turn will praise Him.