There is no darker sin than ingratitude
by Alexander Smelly from the Hour of Silence 1899 Jesus asked,
were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Luke
chapter 17 verse 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 offence 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 that 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'd
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 passed, and his 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. you