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Day 76 Luke 18:9 Luke 18:9 And he spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 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. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 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. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. Who do you trust? Do you trust yourself, others, God? Who occupies first place in your life? Jesus knew the type of people he saw daily. He put them into two categories, righteous, trusting only themselves, and humble, unworthy. He told a parable about those two types of people and how they prayed. The first lifted himself up and gave himself glory for everything he did and thought God would look on them as important members of society. The second could not lift his eyes to heaven, knowing he was unrighteous and unworthy, but begged God for his mercy because he knew he was a sinner. Many Christians adopt a righteous attitude when it comes to prayer, forgetting they needed to come to Jesus to forgive them when they accepted him as Savior and Lord. They have a Pharisaical attitude which is unhealthy in the body of Christ. Instead, you need to remember who you are in the body of Christ and without his grace, mercy, and forgiveness, you would not be worthy, but Jesus makes you worthy by his blood, not by anything you did. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (KJV) When you get alone with God in your prayer closet and reach out to him, acknowledging who you are, giving praise for who he is and what he alone can do, God will lift you up and exalt you because you give him glory, not yourself. Let’s pray: Father, I know I’m a sinner in need of your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Help me come to you in my prayer closet and not make a public display of all I’ve done for you. You know my thoughts, words, and actions. Without the blood of Jesus, I would not be your child. Cleanse me from all unrighteous thoughts and desires today as I give you glory for who you are and what you did for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 6 November 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay