Friday August 11, 2023

Today is Friday, August 11 and we are studying what the Bible says about humility.

I begin each day focusing on the most important relationship in my life, my relationship with God. I pause to center myself in his loving presence. I breathe in the blessings of contentment, joy and peace that he provides.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, in the morning I seek you. I set aside the upcoming day’s agenda and focus myself completely – body, mind and soul on you. Teach me to listen for your wisdom and adhere to your guidance as I travel today’s pilgrim journey. Amen.

I place my hope in God and praise him with the ancient words of Psalm 31.

Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:23-24

Pause and Pray

Jesus had a lot to say about humility and pride. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus told a parable about two men who go to the Temple to be in God’s presence. One man takes pride in his spiritual achievements, the other man is humbled by his spiritual failures. One considers himself righteous, the other is very aware he is a sinner. As I read this familiar parable, I consider the posture each man takes before God.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable, “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

A Pharisee exceeds the demands of Old Testament Law. He praises himself for his good behavior, considers himself better than others, makes himself his own judge and trusts in his own opinion of his goodness. He is proud of his religious acts and looks down on the behavior of others. A Tax Collector in contrast was considered a known sinner in that culture. Yet, ironically, he is a model of humility. He stands off, keeps his eyes lowered, beats his breast in remorse and cries out to God for mercy. He knows he is a sinner. He understands his desperate need for God’s forgiveness and grace.

Ask: Do I lean more toward spiritual pride or spiritual humility? What is the posture I take before God?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, forgive me for the instances when I am self-righteous or judgmental of others. Open my eyes to my spiritual poverty and remind me of your abundant grace. Teach me the dangers of spiritual pride which fools me into believing I can make myself better without your help. Let me have the humble posture of the tax collector. Have mercy on me, a sinner. I read the words from Luke again and listen for the message you have for me.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable, “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider the words that stand out to me and what God might want to reveal about the current state of my soul. Spiritual pride is detrimental to my journey of faith. Pride makes me self-reliant instead of reliant on God for righteousness. What words resonate the most with me? Words like righteous and look down upon, or words like humble and have mercy? I consider what or who I compare myself to when I consider my goodness. Do I compare my behavior to the culture around me and consider myself good? Do I compare myself to others and think I am better? Perhaps if I compared myself to Jesus Christ or even to one of the ancient saints of the church I might reassess my self-evaluation.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit and shine your spotlight on my soul. Reveal the sin that clings so closely, the opinions that cloud my judgment, the attitudes that are not in line with your will. Open my eyes to see the spots that have yet to be cleansed. Lead me to a good confession and have mercy on me. Sanctify me in your grace and love. Amen.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

I leave this time of prayer with a humble heart and forgiven spirit. I go to humbly serve others and love them as Jesus loved.

Amen