~~~ Hosea 6: 1-6 ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Luke 18: 9-14 ~~~
"Come, let us return to the Lord..."
"...he will raise us up, to live in his presence."
"...let us strive to know the Lord..."
"...it is love that I desire not sacrifice..."
(Hosea)
"My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled,
O God, you will not spurn."
(Psalm 51)
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector present themselves before the Lord in prayer.
The Pharisee projects his judgement of others out from his heart. The Pharisee presents the presumptuous prayer of how worthy his actions have made him. He even compares himself to the stranger he really knows nothing about.
The Tax Collector approaches his prayer from the position of repentance, humility, and unworthiness. He is honest in his prayer asking God for mercy. He admits to God how he has failed to live up to the expectations of God.
Why do we feel we have the right to judge another? How can we compare ourselves to someone we do not even know? Comparing self to another is only an attempt to make yourself feel better...a way to deny your own short comings.
Feelings of superiority have no place when you are in the presence of the Lord. You cannot fool God he is all knowing...So what is the point? It is only to build yourself up with falsities. How long can you keep up the facade?
Throughout scripture the Pharisees have been protrayed as just the type who are constantly comparing themselves to others in a more favorable light. They even try to campare themseles to being better than Jesus. For they knew not what they were doing; this pattern of thought had become their way of life.
What might be the message here for us? The message for me is to be more aware when those prideful thoughts of comparison rush into my heart. It is so easy to forget. I have no right to compare myself to another no matter what I think about them.
We can return to God as many times as needed. He will not enforce a limit until you take your last breath. Return to the Lord in humility and love so that you will be granted the joy of living in his eternal presence.
"...only say the word and my soul will be healed."
"Come, let us return to the Lord..."
"...he will raise us up, to live in his presence."
"...let us strive to know the Lord..."
"...it is love that I desire not sacrifice..."
(Hosea)
"My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled,
O God, you will not spurn."
(Psalm 51)
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector present themselves before the Lord in prayer.
The Pharisee projects his judgement of others out from his heart. The Pharisee presents the presumptuous prayer of how worthy his actions have made him. He even compares himself to the stranger he really knows nothing about.
The Tax Collector approaches his prayer from the position of repentance, humility, and unworthiness. He is honest in his prayer asking God for mercy. He admits to God how he has failed to live up to the expectations of God.
Why do we feel we have the right to judge another? How can we compare ourselves to someone we do not even know? Comparing self to another is only an attempt to make yourself feel better...a way to deny your own short comings.
Feelings of superiority have no place when you are in the presence of the Lord. You cannot fool God he is all knowing...So what is the point? It is only to build yourself up with falsities. How long can you keep up the facade?
Throughout scripture the Pharisees have been protrayed as just the type who are constantly comparing themselves to others in a more favorable light. They even try to campare themseles to being better than Jesus. For they knew not what they were doing; this pattern of thought had become their way of life.
What might be the message here for us? The message for me is to be more aware when those prideful thoughts of comparison rush into my heart. It is so easy to forget. I have no right to compare myself to another no matter what I think about them.
We can return to God as many times as needed. He will not enforce a limit until you take your last breath. Return to the Lord in humility and love so that you will be granted the joy of living in his eternal presence.
"...only say the word and my soul will be healed."
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