40 Days with Jesus - 15
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus (Red Letter Edition)
Day 15 | HUMILITY IN PRAYER
40 Days with Jesus (Red Letter Edition)
Day 15 | HUMILITY IN PRAYER
HUMILITY IN PRAYER
Luke 18:10-14
(Jesus shares a parable)
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you; this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Have you ever compared yourself to someone else and thought, “I’m better than HE is.” I’m not sure where this competitiveness begins, but MOST people – guys and gals – seem to have an ongoing, constant “comparative trap” where they more or less automatically compare themselves to ANYONE nearby. And most of those comparisons are superficial… like clothing, hairstyles, cars, and so on.
In this parable, Jesus talks about two men praying: a Pharisee (part of the religious elite at the time) and a tax collector (usually hated by everyone back then).
In Jesus’ parable, both men go into the temple to pray. One was completely self-absorbed and full of himself, saying essentially: “Aren’t I wonderful, Lord? You know You’re lucky to have me on Your team.” The other was sincere, humble, and aware that he needed forgiveness.
Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you this man went down to his house justified.”
What can we learn? We need to keep our prayers humble, remember WHO we are talking to, and acknowledge that we’re not perfect yet.
Prayer: LORD, thank You for the privilege of prayer. I haven’t done anything to deserve it, but I am grateful! Amen.
Luke 18:10-14
(Jesus shares a parable)
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you; this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Have you ever compared yourself to someone else and thought, “I’m better than HE is.” I’m not sure where this competitiveness begins, but MOST people – guys and gals – seem to have an ongoing, constant “comparative trap” where they more or less automatically compare themselves to ANYONE nearby. And most of those comparisons are superficial… like clothing, hairstyles, cars, and so on.
In this parable, Jesus talks about two men praying: a Pharisee (part of the religious elite at the time) and a tax collector (usually hated by everyone back then).
In Jesus’ parable, both men go into the temple to pray. One was completely self-absorbed and full of himself, saying essentially: “Aren’t I wonderful, Lord? You know You’re lucky to have me on Your team.” The other was sincere, humble, and aware that he needed forgiveness.
Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you this man went down to his house justified.”
What can we learn? We need to keep our prayers humble, remember WHO we are talking to, and acknowledge that we’re not perfect yet.
Prayer: LORD, thank You for the privilege of prayer. I haven’t done anything to deserve it, but I am grateful! Amen.
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