37 lines
4.4 KiB
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37 lines
4.4 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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October 4
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<h1>More on Contrasting Results for Self-Exaltation and Humility</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>And the <b>tax collector</b>, standing afar off, would <b>not</b> so much as <b>raise</b> his eyes to <b>heaven</b>, but <b>beat</b> his <b>breast</b>, saying, "<b>God</b> be <b>merciful</b> to <b>me</b> a <b>sinner</b>!"…<b>everyone</b> who <b>exalts himself</b> will be <b>abased</b>, and <b>he</b> who <b>humbles</b> <b>himself</b> will be <b>exalted</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '13-14');">Luke 18:13-14</a>)</div>
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<p>Our present meditation continues Jesus' parable that warns against self-righteousness and encourages lowliness of mind. In this teaching, the Lord declares <b>contrasting results for self-exaltation and humility</b>. <i>"<b>Everyone</b> who <b>exalts himself</b> will be <b>abased</b>, and <b>he</b> who <b>humbles himself</b> will be <b>exalted</b>."</i> The contrasting examples in the parable are the prayers of a <b>vainglorious</b> religious leader and a <b>contrite</b> publican.</p>
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<p>The Pharisee's prayer was <b>addressed to himself</b> and was filled with <b>glorying about himself</b>. <i>"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus <b>with himself</b>, 'God, I thank You that I <b>am not like other men</b>…I <b>fast twice</b> a <b>week</b>; I give <b>tithes</b> of <b>all</b> that I <b>possess</b>'"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '11-12');">Luke 18:11-12</a>). In stark contrast to this arrogant, feigned prayer, the tax collector would <b>not</b> so much as <b>lift</b> his <b>countenance</b> toward <b>heaven</b>. Instead, he pounded his <b>guilt-ridden</b> chest, humbly <b>pleading</b> for <b>mercy</b>. <i>"And the <b>tax collector</b>, standing afar off, would <b>not</b> so much as <b>raise</b> his eyes to <b>heaven</b>, but <b>beat</b> his <b>breast</b>, saying, '<b>God</b> be <b>merciful</b> to <b>me</b> a <b>sinner</b>'!"</i> His attitude was like that of David, who knew he could not withstand the righteous judgment of God. <i>"Do <b>not</b> enter into <b>judgment</b> with Your servant, for in <b>Your</b> sight <b>no one</b> living is <b>righteous</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 143, '2-2');">Psalm 143:2</a>).</p>
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<p>These two men (who both appeared to be praying to God) faced drastically differing results. <i>"I tell you, <b>this man</b></i> [the <b>humble</b> publican] <i>went down to his house <b>justified</b> rather than <b>the other</b></i> [the <b>self-righteous</b> religious leader]<i>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk', 18, '14-14');">Luke 18:14a</a>). The self-exalting Pharisee was <b>abased</b>. He was dishonored before God and confirmed in his guilty, unrepentant state. <i>"<b>Everyone</b> who <b>exalts himself</b> will be <b>abased</b>."</i> The humble tax collector was <b>exalted</b>. Through humble dependence, he was raised up to the blessed realm of justification. <i>"To him who does <b>not</b> work but <b>believes</b> on <b>Him</b> who <b>justifies</b> the <b>ungodly</b>, his <b>faith</b> is accounted for <b>righteousness</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 4, '5-5');">Romans 4:5</a>). He was declared not guilty, forgiven, righteous in God's sight. <i>"<b>He</b> who <b>humbles himself</b> will be <b>exalted</b>."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord God, I deserve to be abased for the times I have exalted myself in Your sight. I want to take my stand with this repentant tax collector. I want to humble myself before You, pleading Your mercy. I hope in You to lift me up to new realms of obedience, godly growth, and service, through Christ Jesus, my Lord, Amen.</div>
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