A poor heathen Hottentot in South Africa worked for a God-fearing Hollander. He, with the other servants, 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 poor heathen in whose heart the Spirit of God had been active listened.
“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?" Thus the unhappy man talked with himself.
After this followed the description of the publican's attitude and prayer. "He standing afar off"—
“That's me," said the Hottentot 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 heathen.
His master read on: "But smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me, a sinner!”
Here the deeply touched African could restrain himself no longer, but cried in a loud voice: "That is me, and that is my prayer!”
He smote his black 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 granted him the consciousness 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 if you say it once from your heart, filled and burdened and heavy laden with a sense of your sins and guilt, you will find the rest He has promised to all who truly come unto God by Him.
"To Him (the Lord Jesus
Christ) give all the
prophets witness, that
through His name whosoever
believeth in Him shall
receive remission of sins.”