SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:1-8
Once again, Jesus uses a contrast to illustrate how God works.
This judge doesn’t care about God or people – only about himself.
But even he is worn down by this widow’s annoying persistence.
If even a scoundrel will respond, HOW MUCH MORE a loving, faithful, just and merciful God?
A judge is supposed to stand for justice; God does stand for justice.
Faith is a confidence in God, that God is just and merciful, loving and faithful.
It is a refusal to give up, a hanging on until we receive the blessing (like Jacob, Genesis 32:22-26).
This is how we should pray, even if it takes God a long time to respond.
God’s apparent lack of response is not lack of concern; He ALWAYS responds right away (quickly).
His response will not always be what we are hoping for, but it will always be what we truly need.
God’s delay is God’s way of giving us what we really want, what we truly need.
Trust God, He is not a scoundrel, He is the God of justice and mercy, love and faithfulness.
Pray and wait, and do not give up… this is God’s way of building our faith!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I think of an old saint of a lady who went through all kinds of tough experiences, yet she did not give up hope in You. I want this kind of faith!
As my inner calm and Gods peace has left me (its been months now) I feel like a child who has done something wrong therefore peace has left. As I pray and think about it I wonder if this is a test of my faith and maybe some correction needs to happen so the peace can truly fill me again. This reminds me of that.