Meeting God or Missing Him

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Today’s Text: Luke 18:9–14

Key Verse: Luke 18:13 (KJV): “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.”

Two men went up to the temple to pray—one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. They both came to the same place of worship, but only one truly met God while the other missed Him. The Pharisee stood tall in prideful posture because he thought he wasn’t like other people—sinners, thieves, adulterers, including that tax collector beside him. But his worship attitude was really about himself, not God, and his confidence was built on religious achievements, not repentance. Whereas, the tax collector, on the other hand, stood far off, with his eyes lowered, and heart heavy. His prayer was just seven words long, but it was real: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Jesus tells the parable to show us the contrast between the self-righteous Pharisee and the humble tax collector, to teach the importance of humility and genuine repentance in one's relationship with God. The tax collector went home justified, but the Pharisee did not. The Bible is clear as to why: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. “Lord, have mercy” is not a phrase of despair but a cry of hope—it means “Lord, heal me, forgive me, make me whole again.” In the Greek, “eleison” is connected with the word for olive oil, once used to soothe wounds. So mercy isn’t cold pity—it’s warm healing compassion that flows from God’s heart to the broken soul.

The problem of those religious folks who miss God is usually not born out of pride and sekf righteousness. They trust good works to save them, mistaking religion for righteousness. Meanwhile, anyone who approaches God on the strength of humility meets Him and sees His glory. They see their sin, asked for mercy, and found forgiveness. God’s mercy is not earned—it’s given to those who know they need it. This lesson is simple yet searching: true worship begins with humility. Mercy flows not to the self-righteous but to those honest enough to confess, “I am a sinner, and I need help.” When we come before God with that attitude, We never miss Him, and He never turns us away.

Action Steps: Begin your day with repentance, not self-righteousness. Be honest about your sins, and call upon God’s mercy. Whisper “Lord, have mercy” throughout the day as a prayer of dependence and trust. Extend that same mercy to others—those who fail, offend, or differ from you.

Quote for the Day: “The heart closest to God isn’t the proud one that says, ‘Look how good I am,’ but the humble one that whispers, ‘Lord, have mercy.’” (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Merciful Father, I come before You as the tax collector did—poor in spirit, aware of my sin, and in need of grace. Forgive my pride, my self-reliance, and my quickness to judge others. Fill me with Your compassion so that I may show mercy as I have received it. Heal the wounds of my heart and make me whole again. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner, through Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen.

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Thank you for walking this path of faith and reflection. For deeper study on mercy and humility, read: Psalm 51:1, Micah 6:8, and James 4:6–10.

With all my love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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