“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ‘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.'” Luke 18:9-14
Jesus’s comparison of the two praying men was meant to uncover their presumptions, then convict and commend. While the first man in self-focused prayer presumed the motives of others and that God needed his informing, it was Christ who knew the hidden heart. The man pridefully presumed God’s pleasure with his litany of good works, but the parable revealed and denounced his false righteousness. The humble man presumed only on the Lord’s worthiness and grace, and in raw confession pled for His mercy. He it is whom God justified.
Approaching the Almighty is an expression of assumptions, and He intends we get them right. In prayer that delights Him we come not on our own merit but His, presuming solely on His love and mercy, not our comparative deeds. It is helpful to bow humbly, expressing gratitude for access to His throne, where brazen confidence due to self-achieved standing turns the worship on us. It is right to focus on Him and acknowledge that He knows all rather than cozy up to Him with excuses and criticisms as if He needs our help and wisdom. (Psalm 94:11; John 2:24; Hebrews 4:12,16)
The key to proper presumption is knowing God through His word. The world and its varied experts give many an opinion and warped view of how God feels, but the holy scriptures are the only true plumb. The enemy wants us to live in the horizontal craze of comparison and boasting, and does all he can to keep our eyes from Jesus. The better we know our Lord and His attributes and ways, the more clearly we see how short we fall. Only when we grasp His just and loving welcome through the blood of Christ will we commune with honesty and effectiveness.
What defines our approach to God? Is it cocky, fearful, or driven by faith? Is it sporadic or consistent, self-confident or God-dependent, focused inward or upward? On what and whose terms do we come? Are we prone to explaining, informing, and bragging, or worshipping, thanking, confessing, and pleading? What needs to be corrected in our presumptions of who God is and how He works through prayer, of our spiritual fitness and standing, and how will we effect that change?
“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)
My Lord, keep me humble, honest, and persevering in prayer that presumes Your mercy and praises Your majesty.
As the rain and snow 