Daily Scripture Threshing for Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Today’s Text: Luke 18:9-14
Key Verse: Luke 18:13 (ESV): “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’”
Have you ever seen a self-righteous person? Or, are you one? What does it mean to be self-righteous? Show me a self absorbing person, who feels good with whatever he does and seeks to condemn others as worse; then, I will show you a self righteous fellow. We probably all need to beat that self-righteous spirit out of our lungs—that ruthless thought that puts us in the near-perfect rights or almost a position of God. Whereas, God Himself did not even send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17).
The two persons in today’s parable of Jesus are a type of us: unfortunately, the haughty Pharisee is a type of church-going, demon-casting, tongue-talking, tithe-paying, and ministry-busy men and women like us; while the humble-minded publican may be one of the church outcasts. Perhaps, we don’t have to be them, but in a sense, the publicans are better than most of us because they are unpretentious. This is even true in today’s text, you can readily imagine their demeanor, their posture and religious motions. But the question is: why then was the Pharisee rejected and the publican accepted? The Bible gives us the answer: God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
God rejects the self-righteous person, who shows superiority above others, and is confident in his/her own righteousness. The prophet Isaiah cautions us that our righteousness is only as filthy rags in the sight of God. Let us therefore quit self absorbing spirit and embrace the righteousness of God. Let us seek the Kingdom of God and His commanded righteous lifestyle. Let us quit hypocrisy and ego, get on our knees, beat our breast in humility and repent towards God. and He will have mercy on us, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Quote for the Day: “Jesus took on humility to became a type of us in sin so that we can become a type of Him in humility and righteousness.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, You are our example in all good works. O Lord Jesus! You teach us to be meek and humble of heart. Please deliver me from the desire of being overly esteemed — in Jesus’ name. Amen.
I wish you a fabulous Sunday with all my Love and Prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
For further enquiry and free spiritual help, visit or write:
The Darling Pastor,
2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,
Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA
+1 (407) 360-8280; (817) 822-8441
[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families and Christian churches]
Send | Share | Subscribe | Support
Comments