Turning Back. This morning I was deeply impressed that I needed to “turn back” and offer up thanks to God for all He has done in our family last year. 2015 has come and is already shoving us along at breakneck speed – but I choose today to halt and take these morning moments to “turn back” and be purposefully thankful.
One leper, a Samaritan, almost moved on too quickly after the miracle of healing, but something within urged him to stop and turn around. That “turning back” thanksgiving encounter with Jesus surely branded that man’s heart.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan (Luke 17:15-16).
The king of Babylon’s dream, which Daniel interpreted, was that successful man’s call to “turn back” and give thanks to God for his success, but a year’s time shoved that king past the moment of thankfulness resulting in a phenomenally devastating complete mental breakdown! Yet, the very moment this king “turned back” and lifted his eyes and heart in thankful acknowledgement of who the God of Heaven is and all He had done, his mind was miraculously restored:
“And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth forever…. At the same time my reason returned unto…. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase” (Daniel 4:34-37, cf. Romans 1:21).
Lesson learned. Today I choose to “turn back” to offer my Heavenly Father a thankful heart!
