But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
A devotional for February 7th through the 13th
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “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.”
This is such a wonderful Parable. It says so much. We should not go about feeling like things that we do or that happen to us are of our own power. It is best to remember that anything good, anything positive that happens for you is not because of anything you yourself have done or anything that is within your own power. There is only One who is able to provide all the good and positive things in this life. There is only One who bore the brunt of our sins on His shoulders to save us. We are not deserving. We are sinners. We have faults. So many faults.
All good that happens for us is not of our own doing but the doing of the One who died for us. Of the One who loves us and knows us better than anyone else. The only One, Jesus. We have to give the glory to the One and only One who deserves it. Not ourselves but Jesus. The all-knowing filled with loving kindness. Be humble and give credit where it is due, give credit to God and thank Him for all He has, is, and will do for you. Praise God for His love and power!