Fresh Manna 27 July
MEDITATION SCRIPTURE: “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”(Lk.18:11-12)
READ: LK. 18:11-14
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
As we end this meditation today on spiritual pride, we want to contrast between a humble seeker and one who is full of himself, thinking that he has done enough to deserve God’s blessings and approval. The publican here represents the penitent seeker of God’s grace. He came before God acknowledging his inabilities and insufficiencies. He count himself unworthy of all the grace and mercy he enjoys. I want to make it clear here that penitence or brokenness is not about sin and unrighteousness. Brokenness is a state of heart where you recognize your insufficiencies and inabilities acknowledging your need of Him.
This is one of strong point of David’s life. “Search me oh God,… And see if there be any wicked way in me,’’.. (Ps.139:23-24). While David was willing to be exposed and corrected by God so that he can become a better person, Saul ask Samuel to cover all his sins and honour him once again before the people. (1Sam.15:30). He was not much bothered about how God sees him; all he wanted was to retain his kingly honour before the people. Prophet Samuel’s message, “because thou has rejected the Lord, he also rejected you did not send cold shivers down to Saul’s spine”. He could not fall down and cry in total humility before the people to obtain mercy before the Lord, he covered up before the people pretending, he is still great king Saul. What a great contrast. Spiritual pride hides the real picture of a man from his own eyes making him place himself higher than others.
TURNING POINT: Spiritual pride hides the real picture of a man from his own eyes making him place himself higher than others.
PRAYER POINT: Lord, I love You, help me to see myself the way You see me.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PS.38,39,40; ACTS 23:12-35
Thank you for studying today’s Fresh Manna (The Christian Pentecostal Mission International Daily Devotional) – Spiritual Pride (4) – written by REV. DR. O. EZEKIEL & REV. DR. M. EZEKIEL
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Fresh Manna 27 July 2021
