Saturday 30 April, 2016

9 Jesus told a story to some people who were sure they were right with God. They looked down on everyone else. 10 He said to them, “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. The other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed. ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people,’ he said. ‘I am not like robbers or those who do other evil things. I am not like those who commit adultery. I am not even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. And I give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood farther away than the Pharisee. He would not even look up to heaven. He brought his hand to his heart and prayed. He said, ‘God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you, the tax collector went home accepted by God. But not the Pharisee. All those who lift themselves up will be made humble. And those who make themselves humble will be lifted up.”

The Pharisee is comparing himself with the Tax Collector and thinking he comes off better. The Tax collector is comparing himself with God and is appropriately humbled.

Who am I am comparing myself with?

Lord I would love to able to write that I only compare myself with You but I know that I am more like the Pharisee than I would like to admit. It’s so easy for me to build my self esteem by comparing myself with people I think I’m doing better than. Whenever I’m quick to notice an area of struggle in someone else’s life that I am currently winning in – pride is taking hold. Your word tells me that You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble. ” God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

 

Written by Ps. Linda Quinn