“Oh, God, thank you that I’m not like some people I know. (Huh, have you noticed what Johnny has been up to lately?!) I haven’t robbed a bank, stole from my neighbor, slept with another man, or, for heaven’s sake, I’m not like Susie Que (what a brat!). I go to church twice a week, read my bible daily, and give you 10% of my income. Bye. Have a good day. Talk to you next Sunday.”
This is like the prayer of the Pharisee who went into the church to pray while looking down on others. He (as an old expression goes) didn’t think his poop stank. Haha.
Here’s another prayer: “God, please show kindness to me. I am a sinner, and I am sorry for all that I’ve done.”
This latter prayer is like the tax collector’s prayer in Jesus parable. Not only were his words humble, but his posture while praying was apologetic.
Luke 18:9-14 (The Message)
9-12He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’
13“Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ‘God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'”
14Jesus commented, “This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”
I love that expression, “If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face!” When you pray to God or even go about your daily life, be real! Be forgiving! Be humble! For it says in verse 14, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
I know I need this reality check every day.
Then, after I read today’s scripture in Luke, I turned to Psalm 51:10-13 and read:
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
This is a prayer I need to say daily. Okay, I admit it, “I AM NOT PERFECT!” My attitude, thoughts, and actions need an adjustment often. Praise God that I can get a tune up by turning to Him. I need to have a clean heart, committed spirit, joy in the Lord (not self or others), and demonstrate God’s ways on living so that I will (hopefully) be an example to others.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I believe I’ll be ending my weekend by “soaking up The Son in the sun” after church tomorrow. Ahhh, beach time! (I feel renewed already just thinking about it.)
| April 28 |