TEMPLE TALK

He went into the temple

Where you’d think one could look up

But his attitude was humble;

He saw dregs in his cup.

2

He asked God for mercy;

He beat upon his chest,

Called himself a sinner

(Not better than the rest).

3

He cast his eyes downward,

They sought the lowly ground,

But God who measures all things,

The simple, the profound,

4

Liked his honest spirit,

Heard his call and cry

Knew he meant his temple-talk,

Knew it more than “humble pie,”

5

And justified his soul;

He went back to his own place

With a calm in his heart

And heaven’s smile upon his face.

6

Friend, the next time you go to meeting,

The next time you’re in church

Avoid petty piousness,

Avoid the highest perch,

7

Look at God, worship Him

And see yourself contrasted,

As this man of old, did.

His grace has ever-lasted.  

– eab, May  2000