Scripture For Today
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people 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.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
— Luke 18:10–14 NIV
There is a quiet beauty in humility that heaven cannot overlook. In this parable, Jesus paints a picture of two hearts entering the same temple but leaving with very different results. One man entered with a list of his own righteousness. The other came with nothing to offer but repentance. And it was the one who bowed low who walked away justified before God.
The Pharisee stood tall, confident in his deeds. His prayer was not really a conversation with God but a performance for his own conscience. He measured his holiness by comparing himself to others, forgetting that true righteousness is not about standing above anyone but kneeling before the Lord.
The tax collector, on the other hand, stood at a distance, his head bowed. He felt the weight of his failures yet also sensed the mercy of the One who listened. He had no eloquent words or spiritual achievements to present. His prayer was simple, honest, and pure. “God, have mercy on me.” In that humble plea, heaven found faith.
Sometimes we think strength looks like standing tall and confident, but in God’s kingdom, it often begins with bending low. The bowed heart is not weak; it is surrendered. The one who knows they are nothing without God becomes the vessel through which His grace freely flows.
Jesus often spoke of the reversal of values in the kingdom of God. The last will be first. The humble will be lifted. The servant will be greatest of all. It is not about pretending to be small but about remembering who God is and who we are in His presence.
Humility is not self-rejection. It is self-awareness rooted in love. It is knowing that everything we are and everything we have comes from God. The humble person does not need to exalt themselves because they trust the Lord to honor them in His time.
This story invites us to take a closer look at our prayers and motives. Do we come before God seeking validation for what we have done, or do we come because we know our desperate need for Him? True prayer is not about proving our worth; it is about drawing near to the One who gives it.
The Pharisee walked away unchanged because he did not see his need for mercy. The tax collector walked away renewed because he saw God’s mercy as his only hope. When we approach God with humility, we create room for His grace to do what pride never can—transform our hearts from the inside out.
Three Practical Ways To Walk Out This Word Daily
1: Practice Honest Prayer
God is not impressed by perfect words but by sincere hearts. When you pray, come as you are. Be honest about your struggles, your weaknesses, and your need for His mercy. Like the tax collector, you will find that His grace meets you right where you are.
2: Serve Quietly
Look for ways to serve without seeking recognition. Whether it is offering help to someone in need, encouraging a friend, or doing something kind in secret, humility grows strongest in the unseen moments. Jesus said the Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.
3: Celebrate Others
Instead of comparing yourself to others, celebrate what God is doing in their lives. Gratitude and humility go hand in hand. When you honor the growth, gifts, and grace in others, it deepens your own contentment and keeps your heart soft before God.
Closing Encouragement
God draws near to the humble. The one who bows low before Him will always find strength rising from within. Keep your heart tender, your spirit teachable, and your eyes on Jesus. In His time, He will lift you up, not because of your perfection but because of your posture. True greatness begins with a bowed heart.