Ungratefulness—A Hard Pill to Swallow

“Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name” Psalm 140:13a (NKJV) There are few things more painful than doing someone a kindness and having them treat it with disdain. After working in secret for weeks, Margaret, a prize-winning bead crafter, has finally finished the intricately beaded vest for her daughter, Princess. She wraps it and places it beneath their Christmas tree. When the big day arrives, Margaret can hardly wait to see Princess’s eyes brighten when she sees the vest! But when her daughter unwraps the gift, she scowls and tosses it back into the box. She says, “Here, sell it at the next powwow! I’m not a bead wearing Rez girl! I deserve designer threads like the girls wear at school!” Margaret can barely hold back her tears. In Exodus 14, God—through Moses—parts the Red Sea so that the Israelites can escape Pharoah’s pursuing army bent on returning them to Egypt and slavery. Yet, once on dry ground, their constant grumbling against God and Moses rouses God’s anger. He punishes them by extending their time in the wilderness. Ten lepers see Jesus and cry out for Him to have mercy on them. Jesus tells them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They obey. Each realizes he is healed, but only one is so grateful that he returns, glorifies God, and falls on his knees before Jesus in thankfulness. “Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” Jesus asks the onlookers. “Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:14,17-18 (NKJV) In giving thanks it shows that we remember God’s goodness and the kindness of others. We must never forget to give thanks for what is done for us. Thank You, Father God, for Your goodness toward us through Your precious Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen! – Kiki BelMonte-Schaller   Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org