This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
(Luke 18:9-14 ERV)
9 There were some people who thought they were very good and looked down on everyone else. Jesus used this story to teach them:
10 “One time there was a Pharisee and a tax collector. One day they both went to the Temple to pray.
11 The Pharisee stood alone, away from the tax collector. When the Pharisee prayed, he said, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not as bad as other people. I am not like men who steal, cheat, or commit adultery. I thank you that I am better than this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week, and I give a tenth of everything I get!’
13 “The tax collector stood alone too. But when he prayed, he would not even look up to heaven. He felt very humble before God. He said, ‘O God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner!’
14 I tell you, when this man finished his prayer and went home, he was right with God. But the Pharisee, who felt that he was better than others, was not right with God. People who make themselves important will be made humble. But those who make themselves humble will be made important.”
Remember the context. The Bible says, “There were some people who thought they were very good and looked down on everyone else. Jesus used this story to teach them.” With that in mind, let’s get into the message.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Understanding Godly Humility.
— Humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less and God more. When we are humble, we keep the spotlight on God and His grace, not on us and our perceived goodness.
— It involves recognizing our dependence on God and His grace in every aspect of our lives.
— True humility leads us to a place of surrender and submission, where we acknowledge that God’s ways are higher than our ways.
— In humility, we find the strength to be vulnerable and honest about our weaknesses and shortcomings.
— This humility is not a sign of weakness but a clear indicator of spiritual maturity and understanding of God’s Kingdom.
— Humility positions us to receive God’s guidance and wisdom as it opens our hearts to His will.
— In practicing humility, we mirror Jesus’ example, who humbled Himself even to the point of death on the cross.
— Jesus humbled Himself to accept His assignment, even though it was painful and even though it meant stripping Himself of His position in heaven for a season so He could live in a flesh and blood body. We can learn a great deal from Jesus’ example.
2. The Danger of Self-Exaltation.
— Self-exaltation stems from pride, which is often the root of downfall in our spiritual lives.
— When we exalt ourselves, we step out of God’s plan and try to take control of everything, leading to inevitable failure.
— When we are humble, we know that God controls the outcomes. But when we are full of pride, we convince ourselves that we do.
— Pride blinds us to our own faults and creates a false sense of self-sufficiency.
— God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble; hence, self-exaltation separates us from God’s favor, and it puts us on the wrong side of God.
— The Bible warns us repeatedly about the perils of pride and the importance of a humble spirit.
— When we exalt ourselves, we risk missing out on the blessings that come from a posture of humility.
— Every time we choose pride over humility, we are essentially saying we know better than God.
— Remember, pride is what God satan kicked out of heaven. Don’t let pride get a hold of your heart.
3. The Blessings of Humility.
— Humility opens the door to God’s grace and favor in our lives.
— It allows us to experience God’s blessings in a way that pride never will.
— A humble heart is fertile ground for spiritual growth and development.
— In humility, we become teachable and open to correction, leading to wisdom and understanding.
— God lifts up the humble; He honors those who honor Him through their humility.
— Humility leads to true greatness in God’s kingdom, as it aligns our hearts with His purpose.
— The practice of humility brings peace and contentment as we trust in God’s sovereignty and timing.
— If you are humble, open to God, and resting in His sovereignty and timing, not only will you resist pride, but you will also be empowered to resist fear, doubt, unbelief, and distressing anxiety. It’s hard to be stressed out when you are humbly resting in God’s grace, trusting that He will manifest His best in His timing.
4. The Power of a Humble Prayer.
— The tax collector’s humble prayer in the parable is a powerful example of humility before God.
— Humble prayers acknowledge our need for God and His mercy.
— In humility, we confidently approach God’s throne, knowing that He hears the cries of the humble.
— A humble prayer is devoid of pretense and self-righteousness; it’s sincere and from the heart.
— God responds to the humility in our prayers, often in ways beyond our understanding.
— Humble prayers shift our focus from ourselves to God, allowing Him to work in and through us.
— Through humble prayer, we cultivate a deeper relationship with God grounded in trust and reverence.
— Humility in prayer keeps us connected to God’s grace. While we know we must provide faith in prayer, our faith will be rooted in God’s grace, knowing that God will do what He planned, in His timing, in accordance with His will, and our prayers must simply activate and receive what God has already provided.
— Said another way: humble prayers know that where there is no grace, there can be no faith. God is not responding to our faith; our faith must align with His grace. Understanding this keeps the emphasis of the prayer on God’s will (which He established before the world began) and not our selfish desires.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I declare that I embrace humility as the path to true greatness in Your kingdom.
I acknowledge my complete dependence on Your grace and mercy in every aspect of my life.
I surrender my will to Yours, trusting that Your ways are higher and better than mine.
I commit to being vulnerable and honest about my weaknesses, relying on Your strength.
I choose to reject pride and self-exaltation, knowing they separate me from Your favor and blessings.
I thank You for the grace and favor that flow into my life as I walk in humility.
I commit to being teachable and open to correction, seeking wisdom and understanding through humility.
I trust in Your sovereignty and timing, finding peace and contentment in Your perfect plan for my life.
I declare that my faith aligns with Your grace, activating and receiving what You have already provided.
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
