The Principle of Humility

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 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. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:9-14

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12

This story is about men who trust themselves and thought that they were righteous and they despised others. This is their inventory, taken by God, not by themselves. Jesus contrasted them to a publican – a person that the Jews disliked because publicans were tax gatherers for Rome. The men who trusted in themselves, and not God, compared themselves to others whom they selected and then felt justified in their righteousness and their perceptions of recovery. Jesus compared these people to two different men; one who talked to himself, and compared himself to God, and the other who came before God asking for His help and did not trust in himself. The one who recognized that he needed mercy and help went home justified by God, the other trusting only to himself, although he talked much about God, went home unjustified. God knows the difference between people who talk recovery and who do not experience recovery.

Prayer for Today: Help us Lord not to pretend with You. You know us very well, we don’t know ourselves well. We ask again that not only will you help us but be merciful to us. We need You and we need Your help. Give us victory over our pride, and help us to accept Your grace and Your mercies. We want recovery and we pray that You will help us to accept Your version of recovery and not ours. Thank You Lord for Your blessings today.