The Prophetic Word - Day 187: There’s no return without praise.

“Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.”

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭14‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Sadly, I believe that our current society has engendered in the young people of our day, a sense of entitlement, rendering many of them completely ungrateful.

Now, if you’ve dealt with children much, you know that gratitude is learned. That is the reason why you will often hear parents say to a child who has just received something from someone, “What do you say?” Of course, we all know that the answer the parent is prompting, is “Thank you!”

Recently, one of my little granddaughters was crying and putting on quite the scene concerning something that she had wanted, but did not get.

When I asked her what was wrong, she responded that she was unhappy about the thing that did not go the way she wanted. I spoke to her, saying, “You are not unhappy. You are ungrateful.”

I then went on to explain to her that, although she had received many wonderful things and had been able to do many wonderful things, she now can only think about what she didn’t get. And that is being ungrateful.

In the account of Jesus healing 10 lepers, we see Him asking a very important question when only one returned to give Him thanks.

“Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭12‬-‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The question as to where all the people are who have received from the Lord, yet have not returned with praise, is one I’m sure the Lord is still asking.

And, as rude as it is to not offer thanks to people who have done good things for us, it is a fatal error for those who have been blessed (forgiveness is also a blessing) of the Lord, yet never offer Him praise.

““Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭50‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Yes, forgetting the goodness of God, leads to destruction. You see, ingratitude toward God is tantamount to making ourselves “worthy” or “entitled” to what He has done for us. And that attitude, is definitely a fast-track to destruction!

If we truly recognize the “pit from which we were dug,” and the hopelessness of our condition without the Lord’s intervention, praise will be the natural response.

Jesus told a story to a judgmental Pharisee, explaining the connection between gratitude and understanding the depth of our sin.

“Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭39‬-‭47‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Now, we know that no one has been given “little” from the Lord. But—I truly believe—the point the Lord was making is that those who perceive that what they have been given is just a little (like this Pharisee), tend not to respond with great gratitude and affection.

In our opening scripture we see that part of returning to the Lord, is to enter into a lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving for what He has done for us.

The writer of Hebrews explains that being able to identify with Christ, is worth the reproach that will surely come from others, and, is also worthy of our “sacrifice” of praise!

“Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Remember, without praise, there is no return. Oh, beloved, let’s praise Him!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#ThePropheticWord