More Than Obedience

Thursday, August 21

Luke 17:14-17 (NKJV)
“So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”
Devotion

Jesus healed ten lepers who obeyed his command to show themselves to the priests, but only one, an unlikely stranger—a Samaritan—returned to thank Jesus, the Samaritan’s faith rendering him truly whole. The other nine healed lepers obeyed Jesus and did receive physical healing but missed the opportunity of “salvation and being made whole” (Luke 17:19) by not going a little further. 

The Samaritan received physical healing, salvation, and was made whole because he went beyond obedience—he went to the source himself: Jesus. Going further than obedience means moving from doing what God requires to becoming who God desires us to be. It’s about relationship, surrender, spiritual growth, and reflecting Christ’s character in every part of life. 

Transformation deepens in that extra step—the return, the gratitude, the personal connection. Obedience opens the door, but intimacy with Jesus brings fullness. Today, let’s not stop at doing what’s required. Let’s go further. Let’s turn back to Jesus, give thanks, and walk closely with the One who not only heals but makes us whole.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that obedience to Your Word brings blessing, but intimacy with You brings wholeness. Teach me not to stop at duty alone but to return daily in gratitude, seeking You above all else. Help me to walk closely with You, not just doing what is required, but becoming who You’ve called me to be. May my life overflow with thanksgiving and reflect the fullness that only comes from You. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Go beyond simply doing what God asks, pause and return to Him in gratitude. Each time you pray, read Scripture, or serve, take an intentional moment to thank Jesus personally for His presence and goodness. Don’t just obey, connect. Transformation happens in that extra step of returning to Him.

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