Persistence is a biblical virtue. Whether we are talking about a course of action, prayer, or faith, we must be persistent in order to lay hold of God’s blessings. If our goal is righteousness, persistence is the Way—trusting in God’s character to provide. While we may face delays, God will answer and we will grow in spiritual maturity if we stay the course. When the going get’s tough, quitting is not a God-ordained option. We must pray without ceasing even while suffering hardships.
In our passage today, Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer and he uses a parable about a persistent widow to express a point. This widow has experienced injustice, but she persistently asks to receive true justice. She wears this unrighteous judge down even though he does not fear the Lord or care about people. Keep in mind God told Israel to be responsible for the widows and orphans, because they were vulnerable. To fail to care for them was to displease God. Jesus wanted his disciples to know that justice that fell short of God’s righteous standard, was not genuine justice.
If you have been persistently praying for God to move in your behalf, do not give up hope. God is righteous and he hears your cries for a move of justice. Hang onto your faith and trust God to provide. He is faithful!
Luke 18:1-8 NLT Parable of the Persistent Widow
1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy [Gk giving me a black eye]. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this lesson on the power of persistent prayer. Help us to stay the course in spite of delays. Holy Spirit, be the strength we need to endure what is sent to make us stronger and to trust you will bring justice and goodness to our lives. Empower us to take care of the vulnerable population in our society, as well. You are the Righteous One and we follow your lead. In Jesus’ name. Amen.