“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
The Lord Jesus always aimed to expose the heart. His target in this parable was clear to Luke, whose description is divinely inspired to poke many a wayward Pharisee’s puffed estimation of himself. To stand proud assuming superiority, informing God of others’ ill motives while boasting self-righteousness, is the epitome of pride that will be debased. His sole mention of God was to call His attention to himself. Only the hated tax collector who reverently exalts God and humbles himself as a needy sinner before His mercy will be exalted. Convoluted thinking results in convoluted conclusions.
Focused on ourselves in most of life, our devotional life is no different. It is natural in the flesh to conflate our importance and fill our prayers with hot air and empty words. We posture and pretend, explain and defend, claiming regular (but often rote) spiritual exercises, checking off our accolades against the faults of those beneath us. The sincerely humble focus on the Lord, drawn to His majesty, captivated by His love and grace, and bow themselves as unworthy apart from His mercy. One needs nothing, the other everything. One informs God with brazen cockiness, the other implores God with desperate need. God hears each word and heart, and esteems and demotes according to His righteous judgment. (1 Samuel 2:6-8; Hebrews 4:12)
What posture do I take before the Lord Almighty? Do I approach God’s throne haughtily, expecting favor while looking down on others, defending my goodness? Or I do I approach as unworthy, grateful for His goodness and the access His mercy makes? Am I so focused on myself that I inflate my prayers with condescension, entitlement, and little to no reverence for God? Or am I consumed with Him and His holy character, claiming only my depravity?
“O for a heart to praise my God,
a heart from sin set free,
a heart that always feels Thy blood
so freely shed for me.
A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
my great Redeemer’s throne,
where only Christ is heard to speak,
where Jesus reigns alone.
A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
believing, true, and clean,
which neither life nor death can part
from Christ who dwells within.
A heart in ev’ry thought renewed
and full of love divine,
perfect and right and pure and good,
a copy, Lord, of Thine.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
come quickly from above;
write Thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new best name of Love.” ~Charles Wesley (1742)
Lord, focus my eyes, affection, and prayers on You, to Your honor.
As the rain and snow 