THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:9-14
“Those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:13)
Take a moment to think about your particular weaknesses.
What sin issues do you struggle with?
Do you tend to think of your issues as not as bad as others?
Or do you see yourself as no worse than others?
As long as we only compare ourselves to others, we will not understand sin.
We need to see our moral weaknesses and sins in light of God’s will for us.
We need to see ourselves in contrast to who we should be.
To humble myself is not to demean myself, to make me worse than I am.
Rather to humble myself is to see myself as I really am.
If we did this, we would have no time to be critical of others.
No matter what your sins are, my sins are my issue, and they’re bad enough.
We all need to reach this point where we are honest before God.
Only then will we discover the wonder of God’s gracious welcome.
Only then will we experience God exalting us, despite our sin.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You know my sin more than anyone else. My subtle pride, my lack of love, my selfish bias, my lukewarmness to You, my distracted heart. And this is what I see, You see so much more. Have mercy on me, a sinner.
Pride. Humility.
Puffed up. Humbled.
I need to see myself as I really am.
Only God can do that. And I live in His presence and He sees me as I really am.
I am a sinner standing in His presence.
I need His grace and power to live this day for Him.
1
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
3
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
4
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
5
Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God.