Bible Reading: Exodus 15; Job 33; Luke 18; 2 Corinthians 3
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Jesus asked this question after he had told a parable about prayer. Here is the conclusion: if you have faith, you will pray and not give up. Do you have faith? Do you pray?
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
What are you praying for right now? Have you received answers to your prayers? Are they according to the will of God? Are they selfish and self-centered prayers? Or are they God-honoring, Christ-exalting, Kingdom-building prayers? If they are don't give up! Keep on praying. Here is the parable:
Luke 18:2-5 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
Jesus' story was about a woman that asked the judge for justice. The judge would not be bothered by her problem, but she would not give up. Finally, he decided to help her because she would not give up. The judge was not moved by a sense of justice or right and wrong. He just wanted her to leave him alone.
Luke 18:6-7 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Jesus contrasts this unjust judge with God. God is good and he does care about justice. He is merciful, loving and compassionate and he will give justice to his children. It may seem like it takes a long time for him to answer, but Jesus says he will avenge them speedily! Many times, we give up too easily. We grow faint and stop praying. Just like the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. When his disciples fell asleep, Jesus told them:
Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Don't grow faint! Keep on praying and trusting God. He hears prayer. He answers prayer. He will do it speedily!
In Christ,
Rody
