Begin today’s devotion by reading the story of the ten men with leprosy found in Luke 17:11-19.

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he entered a village, ten men with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from him, ¹³ they raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, show us mercy!”

¹⁴ When Jesus saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they left, they were cleansed. ¹⁵ One of them, when he saw that he had been healed, returned and praised God with a loud voice. ¹⁶ He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

Like many of the Gospel stories that involve Jesus and healing, this one speaks to a deeper message, a message beyond the miracle itself.

Upon realizing that he had been cleansed, one man healed by Jesus returned to praise the One who had cured him. When he returned, Jesus seemed surprised—not that the man came back—but that the other nine did not.

Often in life we find ourselves aware of God’s presence (or seeming lack thereof) only in times of pain and confusion. And so often, like the other nine healed in this story, we neglect to recognize and praise the One who brings us out of confusion and into blessing. Take a minute to list the ways you have witnessed God’s blessings in your life recently. Then spend some time answering this question:

How are you thankful to the One who makes all things good?