He went into the temple
Where you’d think one could look up.
But his attitude was humble,
He saw “dregs” in his cup.
He asked God for mercy;
He beat upon his chest,
Called himself a sinner
(Not better than the rest).
He cast his eyes downward,
They sought the lowly ground.
But God, who measures all things:
The simple, the profound,
Liked his honest spirit,
Heard his call and cry,
Knew he meant his temple-talk,
Knew it more than “humble pie,”
And justified his soul;
He went back to his own place,
With a calm in his heart,
And heaven’s smile upon his face.
Friend, the next time you go to meeting,
The next time you’re in church
Avoid petty piousness,
Avoid the highest perch.
Look at God, worship Him,
And see yourself contrasted,
As this man of old did.
His grace has ever lasted. – eab, 5/2000
Written while Associate Professor Bible at Hobe Sound Bible College, Florida
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