Luke 9-14 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

These amazing words of our Lord are a stunning reminder of the magnitude of the sin of humanity and our own sin.  It is also an amazing  reminder of the great grace and mercy of our God.  The distinct difference between these two men, in God’s eyes, is humility!  One man imagines that somehow his religious practice is enough to earn his place before God in heaven.  The other man simply sees the truth of his own desperate need of the mercy and grace of God. I write these words to you today simply to encourage you to pray for humility daily.  Apart from the grace of heaven convicting us and revealing to us our desperate need of Jesus’ saving grace, we each risk grossly offending our forgiving Father and damaging our relationship with God and man. I am now 49 years in my Christian faith and more aware of my own sin and brokenness than I have ever been in my life. Lord, teach me true humility and forgive me for I am always in desperate need of your gracious mercy and healing. Dave Knaup, a sinner.