“…two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess. And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat 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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted…”- Luke 18:10-14 (NKJV)
When we take a close look at our opening text, we realize that there is a major lesson that our Lord Jesus Christ is trying is communicate to us in the place of prayer. These two men went to pray, and one was claiming rights and feeling that, because he pays his tithe and fast twice a week, he stands a better chance with God. While the other one who obviously wasn’t doing all the things that the first man was counting, was simply asking for mercy. He knew that only the mercy of God can see him through and truly, our Lord Jesus Christ, pointed out that the one who was asking for mercy went home justified than the other man. You know why? Because mercy is what lifts us up and unlocks the favour of God for our lives, irrespective of the things we do that are not in the line with the word of God. I know this might surprise you because the first man did everything according to the scriptures but from the things he said, you discover that his faith was in the things he was doing not in the God to whom he was doing those things to. He fasted because he felt he was better than the sinners out there. He gave his tithe regularly because he felt, that was all he needed to be lifted before God. He did the right things according to God’s word, but from his discussion with God, it wasn’t with a perfect heart. So he was disqualified because his words did not communicate humility but pride and that is something that God does not put up with.
So the question is, when you pray, does your prayer communicate humility or pride? Does your prayers communicate faith in God and His grace, or faith in the works of the flesh? Does your prayer reflects comparison with others like the prayer of the first man did? This is something, you should meditate on and learn from. You must always understand that above all we do unto and for the Lord, what surpasses all things is the mercy of God. And that is what we should always crave for. Do not be like people who say things like, “I have been very committed in church, I give my tithe and serve in the house of the Lord and yet, the Lord is still far from me” I will not come to church again because whatever I do in the house of the Lord is not being noticed by God”. They feel that they should be heard or be attended to because of their much serving, but they don’t know that it is mercy that makes all the difference. Now, there is nothing wrong is paying your tithes, sowing your seeds and fasting regularly, but it should be done from a place of humility, knowing well that, it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but God who shows mercy..” –Romans 9:16 (NKJV) Therefore, keep your eyes on the one who shows mercy and be humble in prayers.
TODAY’S RHEMA
Whatever you do unto the Lord that is in line with the word, must be done from a place of humility and faith in the one who shows mercy!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My faith is in the mercy and grace of God not in my actions. My faith is in power and ability of God who shows mercy. So I refuse to leverage on my actions but on the mercy of God because in the long run, mercy is what lifts a man up. Praise God!
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