Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Persistence in Faith


Luke 18:8, "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?"

Jesus asks the question in Luke 18:8, 'When he Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?." I believe that Jesus is giving voice to persistence in faith. The widow in this parable illustrates this kind of faith. In spite of opposition, she perseveres on, in faith - praying and believing. Jesus is excited when His chosen ones practice this kind of faith!

A noteworthy insight from this parable is that the widow experienced immediate opposition to her request, yet, she was inflexible and pressed on. She wanted release from her oppressor! The king had the authority to end the tyranny. She understood this to be so and she kept on coming back time after time, after time and again until the king vindicated her. This is the kind of faith our Lord is looking for when He returns to earth.

Furthermore, persistent faith is essential in prayer. "We should always pray and not faint.' Jesus would often go to a quiet place and pray all night. We are commanded to pray under any condition.

'Faith is to prayer like flames to fire.' Author, unknown.

The widow keeps pleading to the king, "Grant me". She is earnest. Because she persists in prayer, he grants her justice. The Israelites groaned in prayer in the Book of Exodus, and God gave them a deliverer. Hannah cried, deep in prayer, and God granted her request. In the Book of James, chapter 5, the laborer's prayers went up to the God Almighty.
These are only a few examples of persistent prayer in the Bible.

God will hear persistent prayer!
Be encouraged!