Luke 17:17–18

Our Lord Jesus Himself places great value on a thankful heart.

Today, as Singapore celebrates her 61st National Day, we give thanks to our Heavenly Father with grateful hearts.

The peace, stability and prosperity that Singapore enjoys today did not come about by chance, nor are they the result of human effort alone. They are the fruit of God’s grace, together with the vision and sacrifices of our founding generation, the faithful stewardship of successive governments, and the unity and hard work of generations of Singaporeans.

We are deeply grateful to all who have contributed to building our nation. Above all, we give thanks to God, whose gracious hand has been upon Singapore throughout the years.

As members of Kum Yan Church, thanksgiving should be a defining mark of our lives.
In the early days, our forefathers acquired this piece of land and built the church during challenging times. They experienced God’s guidance and faithfulness every step of the way. In response to His goodness, they named this church Kum Yan, meaning “Thanksgiving”. Their legacy reminds us that gratitude is not merely a response to God’s blessings—it is a way of life.

Our Lord Jesus Himself places great value on a thankful heart. After healing ten men with leprosy, only one returned to thank Him and give glory to God. Jesus asked:

“Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17–18)

Jesus grieved that while all had received His mercy, only one returned with a grateful heart.
Dear brothers and sisters, may we never take God’s blessings for granted. Let us continually give glory to Him and thank Him for His abundant goodness to Singapore, including:
• The enduring national ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality, established at our nation’s founding and upheld through the years;
• A government that strives to serve with integrity, vision, responsibility and a commitment to the well-being of its people;
• Harmony among our different races and religions, and the unity that has become one of Singapore’s greatest strengths;
• Strong national reserves, prudent stewardship of our resources, and a commitment to ensuring that the nation’s prosperity benefits its people.

These are but a few of the countless blessings we have received. I encourage each of us to continue counting God’s blessings and giving thanks for His faithfulness.

May thanksgiving become part of the spiritual DNA of every member of Kum Yan Methodist Church. As we cultivate grateful hearts, may our lives continually bring honour and glory to God.