5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:14 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
There are many paradoxes in the Christian worldview. They are counter-intuitive. That’s why we must spend time in our Bible and develop a Biblical worldview because much of what we read in the Bible runs counter to what we would naturally think.
For instance … the Bible teaches us that the way up is down.
You read that correctly. I said that the Bible tells us that to go up, you must first go down.
Now, let me explain. If you read the verse that I have chosen for today, you will hear Jesus finishing a parable, a short story (Luke 18:9-14), He told about two men who went to the temple to pray.
One man in Jesus’ story was saturated with pride and went so far as to thank God that he wasn’t as bad as other people. The other man was filled with godly grief and simply kept beating his chest and pleading with God to forgive him.
As Jesus brought the story to a close, He said…
Luke 18:14 (CSB): “I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The proud man, who simply tried to acknowledge his high and holy standing with God, went home a lowly, guilty sinner (even though he didn’t realize it). The man who went deep into the valley of brokenness and repentance went home in an elevated position, forgiven and right with a holy God.
Simply put, if you want to go up in happiness and effectiveness in your daily walk with Jesus, you must go down into the dark valley of repentance. In fact, the lower you go in repentance (feeling the weight of your sin and being broken over it), the higher you can go in joy and effectiveness when you turn from that sin.
To go up, you must first go down … but it’s worth it!!!
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Lord Jesus, You have made it crystal clear in Your Word over and over that You demand sincere repentance from Your followers. I realize that You aren’t simply telling us to repent in order to make us perpetually grovel in the consciousness of our sin. Instead, you are calling me to sincere repentance so that I can receive forgiveness and cleansing and then experience the joy of my salvation and effectiveness at what You have called me to do. So, let me not be afraid to venture into the valley of repentance since I realize what awaits me on the other side. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 