The Word for wisdom:
Proverbs 22:1-2 (HCSB)
1 A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.
The Word for inspiration:
Psalm 145:21 (HCSB)
My mouth will declare Yahweh's praise; let every living thing praise His holy name forever and ever.
The Word for encouragement:
Luke 18:14 (HCSB)
I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
My observation:
Today we come to the concluding verse of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The main lesson in this parable is justification. In God's eyes the tax collector was justified, and the Pharisee was not.
What made the difference? In this parable there are two biblical truths that standout. First, justification is a divine transaction whose source is God alone. It is a gift of God offered to needy sinners. Without it the sinner will die the second death, which is separation from God for eternity. The sinner must recognize his condition, in faith, ask for mercy, and with an open heart receive the gift of justification.
Romans 5:1 (HCSB)
Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The second biblical truth in this parable is that a proud approach to God is not acceptable to him. The proud is out of favor, but the humble are justified.
Luke 14:11 (HCSB)
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
The justified person is not righteous, but God counts that person as righteous.
Romans 4:22-24 (HCSB)
22 Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, 24 but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that at the foot of the cross there is level ground. I am so thankful that the rich has no advantage over the poor. Father, I thank you for giving us the gift of faith without which we could never be justified.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
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A man's steps are established by the Lord, and He takes pleasure in his way.
Psalm 103:14 (HCSB)
For He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.
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