There is no darker sin than ingratitude!
(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)
Where are the other nine?" Luke 17:17
Only one leper returned to give GOD thanks--
nine continued on their way unmindful,
ungrateful. And why was that?
Perhaps they knew the danger
of committing themselves to JESUS,
knew that HE was narrowly watched
and suspected, knew that even
to receive a cure from HIM was
in itself an offense to many.
MY LORD, I seek grace
not to be so cowardly!
Perhaps they were afraid that now
the MASTER would have a claim upon
them and would begin to press the claim.
HE who had given them their health,
might demand their loyalty; and they
were not ready to yield it. My LORD,
I would be more consecrated than they!
Perhaps they were seized with
the wish to mix with the world,
to go back to its affairs, to play
their part in its business.
They were impatient of delays which
detained them from the promotion
of their own interests. My LORD,
I would learn to hate such selfishness!
Perhaps they thought that they had only
got what was their due. They thought
that the loathsome disease was
an injustice and a grievance, and
health was their right--
and they need not be profoundly
grateful. Ah my LORD, teach me
to watch against this self-conceit
and pride!
Perhaps they told themselves that
their BENEFACTOR was no longer
necessary to them. The pressure
of urgent need was past, and its
disappearance makes a vast difference.
My LORD, let me never forget
YOUR untold benefits.
There is no darker sin than ingratitude!
I entreat YOU LORD JESUS, to save
me from it.
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