GOD LISTENS TO THE HUMBLE                                            Luke 18:9-14

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  (v13)

Andrew Murray was the one who said, “Just as water always seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds men abused and empty, His glory and power flow in to exalt and bless.” Jesus told a parable to condemn being confident in one’s own righteousness and looking down on others. Two men went to the temple to pray, a Pharisee and a tax collector. Both men stood to pray, but the posture of their hearts attracted Jesus the most. The Pharisee was actually praying to himself and listing out what he has done, while the tax collector was praying to God and asking for mercy. He did not come to God boasting about what he has done to merit God’s answer, like the Pharisee. He simply asked for mercy Jesus said, the tax collector, though despised and rejected by the world, received mercy from God and went home justified. Our status as believers in Christ gives us equal access to God regardless of our different backgrounds and personalities. But we must come with a humble disposition if we must attract God’s attention. When we come together in worship, our focus must be on God. When we come to God on the basis of our self-righteousness, we cannot receive anything from Him because as the Scripture says, all our righteousness is like filthy rags before God. But when we come in humility, we will find grace in our time of need. Worship the Lord with humility of heart.

PRAYER LINE: Lord, give me a humble spirit.

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The Lord justifies the humble and brings down the proud (NBC)