Effective Righteousness

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might read 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives.

Friday, June 5, 2009
Devotions: Ps 40, 51, 54; Deut 26:1-11; 2 Cor 8:16-24; Lk 18:9-14

I waited patiently for YHWH, and He answered, drawing me up from the mire and putting me in a solid rock. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. He will use me to help others to trust in the Lord. Blessed are those who trust Him—God, You have multiplied Your blessings to me! You have given me an open ear and a wise heart; I delight to do Your will; Your law is in my heart! I have not hidden Your saving help; I will speak of Your steadfast love and faithfulness! God has delivered me from numberless evils, troubles beyond counting! May all who seek God rejoice and be glad. My God comes, and I rejoice. Lord, cleanse me of my transgressions—they are ever in my awareness. I know You want truth in the inner person; so teach me deep wisdom; cleanse and purge me; fill me with Your joy and gladness. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and an upright spirit within me. Cast me not from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation, so I can testify for You. How great You are, my God! YHWH is my Helper, and by His power, I look in triumph over my enemies.

Moses taught Israel: ‘When you have come into the Land of Promise, take the first fruits of your harvest, and take it to the Lord’s sanctuary among you. Have the priest place your offering before the altar. Then say to God, “My ancestor was a wandering Aramean, who sojourned in Egypt. There, we became a multitude, afflicted by the Egyptians. And YHWH brought us out of Egypt with His mighty hand, with awesome signs and wonders, to this good land flowing with milk and honey. And so now, I bring the first fruits of the harvest God has provided.” Worship there before YHWH your God and rejoice in the good He has done for you.’

Paul writes to the Corinthians, ‘Titus loves you as I do, and he comes to you of his own accord, accompanied by a brother famous for his gospel preaching, and a faithful brother who has undergone stiff trials with me. When you receive them, let these men see why I have boasted about you to them.’

Jesus told this parable to some who seemed complacent and self-righteous, despising others: ‘Two men went up into the temple to pray: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee prayed with himself in this manner: “God, I thank You that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I tithe all I receive.” The tax collector stayed far from the altar, not even lifting his eyes to heaven. Beating his breast, he prayed “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you: this tax collector went home justified, rather than the Pharisee; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.’