Day 12
Read Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed[a] thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 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!’ 14 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.”
We learn from this passage that we should humble ourselves. Think about the prayer time in your own life. If your prayer time consists more about you telling God what you did instead of thanking God for the things He has done, or if you think about others and what they do wrong and what you do right, then it is a time that we need to humble ourselves. Let those moments be a red flag to you.
This passage even tells us how to combat this subtle pride within us and humble ourselves, look at the end of verse 13: ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
When you notice a red flag moment, STOP what you are doing and pray this prayer. Remind yourself of God’s mercy. Only this way you will go on justified.
Take a moment now to pray. Focus most of this time on thanking Him for what He has done in your life, for the kind of person He has made you, and ask God for help to humble you.