Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers—or even like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain. But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am!

Luke 18:10-13 (AMPC)

God doesn’t answer our prayers because we are good, but because He is good. Be like the tax collector mentioned in today’s scripture and ask God to have mercy on you because of your sin. Be thankful for all the grace God gives you, and don’t keep a record of your good works. Remember every good thing anyone does for you but quickly forget the good you do for others.

Don’t compare yourself with other people, especially not in a way that makes you feel you are better than they are. Paul teaches that we are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to, but to think according to the degree of faith that is given to us (Romans 12:3). If we are good at anything, it is because God has given us a gift. We should be humbly grateful, not proud, which always causes us to think more highly of ourselves than we should.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, thank You for answering my prayers, not because of my goodness, but because of Your goodness and mercy. Keep me humble, grateful, and mindful of Your grace in everything I do, amen.

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