Today's encouragement comes from Luke 17:17, where we read these words:
"So Jesus answered and said, 'Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?' "Everybody is about getting things from God; and crying out to Him in time of need. Probably about ten percent of those who receive mercy from God ever come back to thank Him for what He has done for them. It is interesting that Jesus actually asks the question, "Where *are* the [other] nine?" He rightly *expected* them to return and "give glory to God," (v. 18).
Ingratitude is not appreciated by the Lord; and those who have received of the riches of Christ's grace will inevitably return to Him with thanks and praise. It may be safely asserted that all the truly redeemed in the church *will* live lives of worship and gratitude—as this is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and is evidence of real faith.
[Puritan quote of the day: "[Christ's] church is the house which He has built on a perfect number of pillars so that it might be stable, resting on a good foun-dation.” —John Owen, in, "Communion with God"]
