Prayer-Soldier Newbie
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 5:08 pm Post subject: Blessed Are the Humble and Contrite of Heart |
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Blessed Are the Humble and Contrite of Heart
Scripture:
And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person. The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged. He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she pours out her complaint.
He that adores God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds. The prayer of him that humbles himself, shall pierce the clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart till the most High behold. (Sirach 35:15-17, 20-21)
For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly.
At my first answer, no man stood with me: but all forsook me. May it not be laid to their charge! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished and that all the Gentiles may hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord has delivered me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ( 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 )
And to some who trusted in themselves as just and despised others, he spoke also this parable: Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give you thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican. I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalts himself shall be humbled: and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:9-14)
Reflection:
In the eyes of God, we are all children of His creation. He cares as much for the peasant as He does for the king. He calls us to live with civility, compassion and charity for one another. He desires that we lead our lives by what is right and just so that blessings of love may be shared by all.
There are those who join hands to do the work of charity for the poor and afflicted. We are blessed when just leaders rise up who will gather together many hands to care for the less fortunate, but the evil one seeks to sow oppression and injustice across the land; therefore, he seeks to corrupt those who wield the power of leadership. Through deceptions and temptations, the one of darkness attacks the hearts of leaders such they concern themselves more with the trappings of power than the true needs of the less fortunate.
We must pray for our leaders that they may be protected from all deceptions and temptations. We must pray that they will be guided in how they may carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them, such that they deliver what is right and just in the eyes of the Lord and do not succumb to the enticements of the one who deceives.
With either positions of leadership or wealth comes responsibility, but the evil one lurks and seeks to taint the thoughts and motives of those who carry power within society. Those who find themselves within positions of leadership and power should consider and pray upon the parable of the vigilant and faithful servants where Jesus explained to His disciples that to whom much is entrusted, much will be required. ( Luke 12:48 ) This teaching advises us as to our responsibilities of stewardship over the talents and gifts He grants to us, for on the day of accounting, we will be asked to explain what we have done and what we have failed to do with the opportunities placed within our hands.
Those who fall to the darkness and yield misery and oppression upon the less fortunate may find they prevail in the moment of their behavior, but the time will come where the Judge of All shall hold them to account. He will inquire as to the cry of the poor. He will inquire what is behind the prayers of the oppressed. He will reward those who acted with justice, civility, compassion and charity. He will hold to account those who yielded injustice, incivility, indifference and malevolence.
As we look back, we are likely to see many missteps and mistakes. The Apostle Paul was once one who persecuted and sought the death of the followers of Christ until Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:1-9) It was there, within the light of Jesus, Saul [Paul] suffered blindness for the evil within his heart, an evil he did not understand. Though darkness consumed him, the light of Jesus extinguished it and the Holy Spirit guided Paul to the blessings and truth of the Lord.
The work to which Paul was called was not easy for he turned from being the one who persecuted to becoming the one who became a target for persecution. In the end, he found the fruits of his efforts to be well worth the sacrifice of both his safety and his freedom. As he received the blessings of the Holy Spirit, Paul was strengthened to withstand the challenges of evil before him. Through his preaching, the Word of the Lord was heard by many souls; wisdom which was passed along from mouth to mouth, heart to heart, and from generation to generation.
We are tempted to believe that the work of saints can only be the work of others for our hearts do not always see how He will enable us and we leave our ears deaf to the call of the Lord. We are told how God lifts up the lowly (Luke 1:52, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31), therefore, we must understand that we all have the capacity to do what is right and just, to share in His works and to live as an example, no matter our past. If there is darkness within our hearts, if we trust in Him, He will bring His light within us and guide us in how we may share it with others. It is but our choice to accept Him. It is but our choice to follow Him. It is but our choice to commit our feet to the just race and our hands to the good fight.
In our endeavors, we must avoid the temptation of pride. It may tempt us to boast when we are called to humility. (Colossians 3:12, James 3:13, 1 Peter 5:5) It may tempt us to judge the failings of others while we remain blind to our own. (Matthew 7:1-5) We must not assume that we are justified before God because of our works or that we may set ourselves above others because we see ourselves through a mirror which hides our imperfections. Let us, rather, approach Him with a contrite heart. Let us pray for His mercy. Let us ask Him for the wisdom, courage and strength by which we may walk the humble path. Let us pray the Holy Spirit will lead us to the choices which yield what is right and just.
May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier
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