Scripture: For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)
God rejects the proud and elevates the humble. Humility is simply the internal acknowledgement of the reality of our situation. It is a true estimation of our condition, our worth, and our position before a holy God. Thus, we are broken and contrite over our sin. But we are also joyful in the knowledge that God will not reject us in such a state as we might deserve, but instead welcomes us, even cherishes us. He restores us to his love and makes us new in his presence.
Prayer: Lord, we don’t like to feel humble or contrite because we don’t like to feel guilty about what we’ve said and done. So we hide from ourselves and we hide from you. We pretend we are alright; we even act proudly. Forgive us our sins. And teach us to be honest with ourselves about the true condition—that in Jesus we are sinners saved by grace.