Sunday, April 01, 2007

Persistence

In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells a parable about a judge who "did not fear God and did not respct man" and a widow who was seeking protection from a legal opponent. She kept on coming to the judge asking for help. He was unwilling to help her, but because she was persistent, he gave her protection. Jesus then says "now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly." vs 7-8.

Unlike this judge, our Heavenly Father and judge wants to provide justice for us. We are His children. He is not deaf to our appeals. Sometimes it may feel that He is not listening, but sometimes the answer to our prayers is wait. Maybe he withholds resolution to our prayers to draw us closer to Him and make us develop a habit (and desire) to spend time talking to Him, time in prayer. Prayer is a way that we acknowledge our dependence on God and how we become intimate with Him. How do you get to know someone? You spend time with them. May I make my relationship with God a priority, over all else. That's God's priority...my relationship with Him (and yours). Why else did He send Jesus...to reconcile us to Himself, into a right relationship. Be persistent in your time with Him.

2 comments:

Erika W. said...

That's exactly what I needed to hear Claire. Sometimes the answer is wait. That is such a hard lesson! I think we're smack dab in the middle of a "wait" lesson, and it is a lesson in being patient and spending time in prayer.

It is good to remember that we are dependant on him in all things.

Unknown said...

I'm glad that it was something useful to you! Sometimes, I think, times of waiting are really frustrating but can be precious blessings when we look back on them!

You're right! He is our Provider for ALL things!