A poor Bushman in South Africa worked for a God-fearing Hollander. He, with other workers, was daily present at the reading of God's Word and prayer. One day Luke 18 was the portion to be read—the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Hollander read: "Two men went up into the temple to pray."
The Bushman listened intently. "Perhaps," he whispered to himself, "perhaps I may now learn how to pray."
The Hollander did not hear him and read on: "God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men."
Here the poor man whispered: "This is not me! I can't pray like that. I am worse than everybody else."
The reader went on: "I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess."
"I don't do that. I can't pray like that! Oh, what shall I do?", the unhappy man said to himself.
After this followed the description of the publican's attitude and prayer. He "standing afar off"—
"That's me," said the Bushman audibly, "that's where I stand!"—"would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven," continued the Hollander.
"That's me again," said the poor man.
The reader continued: "But smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner!"
Here the deeply touched Bushman could restrain himself no longer, but cried in a loud voice: "That is me, and that is my prayer!"
He smote his breast and cried in the anguish of his soul: "Yes, God be merciful to me, a sinner!"
His distress of soul, and his cry for mercy were not in vain. He soon found peace in believing. God gave him the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins, and he received eternal life—God's free gift to those who believe on His Son.
How is it with you who read this? You may say daily with your lips: "God be merciful to me a sinner," and find no relief. But have you said it from your heart? Have you seen yourself as God sees you? Do you feel unworthy even to lift up your eyes to heaven? Then your cry will be heard, and you will find the rest He has promised to all who truly come unto God by Him.