Grace & Humility

“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 18:13-14

The other night, I walked my neighborhood for about an hour.  It was beautiful outside with the stars shining and moon lighting the night.  As I looked, I thought about the neighborhood I had come from.  Where I used to live, I could not walk that late because it was not always safe.  I couldn’t focus on the beautiful starlight because I was worried about things around me.  Those are little things that can be taken for granted.  At that moment, my emotions overcame me.  Why did God bless me with such things?  What had I done to deserve such a moment that others far more worthy may have yet realized?  All I could do was just humbly thank Him for what He had given me. 

Humility starts with knowing we are not worthy of such grace.  In the parable of today’s verses, Jesus talks of the tax collector who asks for God’s mercy.  The focus goes beyond the lesson of focusing on God instead of self.  We are incredibly blessed to have the things we have.  Yet, none of it means anything compared to the love and grace given by God.  This love is neither earned nor deserved, and this is what the tax collector clearly understood.  We must always remember our  position not as what we have earned or worked for.  Instead, it is a gift from God for which we are both fortunate to have and unworthy to have been given.

We are to give thanks to God in good times and bad.  Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  Our God is worthy as we fight through the storms.  We must also remember that when peace comes, He is our provider, and we are humble for receipt of such a gift that many others do not have.  How do you express humility for God’s favor?  Where in your life do you need God’s mercy?  My prayer is that we are forever humble in seeking God’s grace in both good and bad times.  Amen.