Re-Center Around God
Luke 18:9-13
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’” "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.’”
Pondering Point
You may be familiar with the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness, which expresses God’s enduring love for us. The following two verses are parodies of that hymn written for a sermon illustration, aptly titled The Song of the Pharisee and The Song of the Tax Collector.
Great is my faithfulness, O God my Father;
Unlike the others who pale next to me;
You know my tithing and fasting, I fail not,
Unlike these sinners – Oh thank God I’m me.
Great is my faithfulness! Great is my faithfulness!
Morning by morning my piety see.
All I have needed to give I’ve provided;
Great is my faithfulness, Lord, unto thee!
Great is my sinfulness, O God my Father;
There is no hint of uprightness in me.
I stand in shame, my poor head I can lift not;
I am a sinner God, ‘tis plain to see.
Great is my sinfulness! Great is my sinfulness!
Morning by morning your mercies I need.
God, I have sinned and I seek Thy forgiveness;
Great is my sinfulness – Lord, rescue me!
Jesus notes that the Tax Collector rather than the Pharisee went home justified, saying: "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
(Luke 18:14)
Review
Where have I been pharisaical? Where have I looked down and others and elevated myself? Have I humbled myself before God? Do I believe that I am forgiven? Do I like to be seen or known for my religious commitments?
Repent if Necessary
Repent if necessary of any arrogance or false humility that has been uncovered. Some may need to repent of unbelief; not believing God truly forgives you. Repent and believe.
Return (as necessary)
Both men in Luke 18 turned to God. But only one returned to God. It wasn't the more religious of the two as measured by the eye standard. Model your prayer after the Tax Collector as you turn – and return – to God.
Biblical Themes
The Shema, Episode 2
YHWH / LORD
YHWH, Adonai, LORD, Jehovah – God seems to have a lot of names. So what exactly are we supposed to call Him? Dive into this fascinating look behind all the different names Jews and Christians have used to refer to God and discover the power of the personal name of the God of Israel.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 84:8-12
- Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob. - Look on our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one. - Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked. - For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless. - Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Read the verses of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask Him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
John 12:26a
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be…
The Promise
John 12:26b
…My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Pondering Point
Psalm 84:11-12 from God’s perspective
[God:] Get here, get to Me – let nothing stop you,
For I am the Lord God, your sun and shield;
I have all kinds of favor and honor to bestow on you;
Trust Me, I will withhold no blessing from you,
My child – not one good thing. Come!