Bible League: Living His Word "I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"— Luke 18:8 ESV Luke chapter 8 narrates what Jesus did to impact his followers. He firstly taught them to persevere in prayer day and night (v.7) with patience to trust God. Jesus also wants us to know that prayer works through persistence like the widow who did not allow her social status to deprive her of her right to present her case. The unfair judge initially disregarded her case, but eventually, he granted her justice! Beloved, we need to have hope and faith whenever we call unto our Living God! Jesus shows us that prayer is not easy, but we can pursue what is rightfully due to us, and within the will of God, it will be granted speedily as the verse of today indicates. Jesus taught his disciples about prayer so that it would keep their relationships alive with God, whom they call and petition with faith. The parable also teaches us that prayer is not a magic potion, as if what we ask is done instantly. The parable might have made them feel what we perhaps feel, that repeated petitions are demoralizing and a cause to despair. However, Jesus said "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (v.7-8). We are to keep faith amid hopelessness. Even if the wicked may seem to have an advantage over us, we know that our battle is won in the spiritual realm of prayer. Beloved, God will speed up your prayer request, He is always on time! Remember to please Him with faith (Hebrews 11:6). Our world operates with faith to link with the supernatural world of prayer. Now, Jesus is asking you if you would still have faith when He comes back to take His church, the followers who have trusted Him in all situations and called unto him day and night. The widow got her justice because of her faith. The judge had not much choice otherwise he'd have no peace due to persistent widow's plea. We ought to know where to go when healing is needed, peace is needed, and restoration of human dignity is needed! We have God Almighty who will speed up your plea! Don't give up your moral conviction in Christ, He is coming soon! By Christopher Thetswe, Bible League International, South Africa Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJoshua 7, 8 Joshua 7 -- Israelites Defeated at Ai; Achan Sins NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Joshua 8 -- Joshua Conquers Ai; Covenant Renewed NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 2:25-52 Luke 2 -- Jesus' Birth; Announcement by Angels; Presentation at the Temple; Return to Nazareth; The Boy Jesus Visits the Temple NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. Insight Our lives are cluttered with rule books, but the authors never come with us to help us follow the rules. But God does. That is the uniqueness of our Bible. God not only provides the rules and guidelines, but comes with us personally each day to strengthen us so that we can live according to those rules. Challenge All we must do is invite him and respond to his direction. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.O death! why dost thou touch the tree beneath whose spreading branches weariness hath rest? Why dost thou snatch away the excellent of the earth, in whom is all our delight? If thou must use thine axe, use it upon the trees which yield no fruit; thou mightest be thanked then. But why wilt thou fell the goodly cedars of Lebanon? O stay thine axe, and spare the righteous. But no, it must not be; death smites the goodliest of our friends; the most generous, the most prayerful, the most holy, the most devoted must die. And why? It is through Jesus' prevailing prayer--"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am." It is that which bears them on eagle's wings to heaven. Every time a believer mounts from this earth to paradise, it is an answer to Christ's prayer. A good old divine remarks, "Many times Jesus and his people pull against one another in prayer. You bend your knee in prayer and say Father, I will that thy saints be with me where I am;' Christ says, Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.'" Thus the disciple is at cross-purposes with his Lord. The soul cannot be in both places: the beloved one cannot be with Christ and with you too. Now, which pleader shall win the day? If you had your choice; if the King should step from his throne, and say, "Here are two supplicants praying in opposition to one another, which shall be answered?" Oh! I am sure, though it were agony, you would start from your feet, and say, "Jesus, not my will, but thine be done." You would give up your prayer for your loved one's life, if you could realize the thoughts that Christ is praying in the opposite direction--"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am." Lord, thou shalt have them. By faith we let them go. Daily Light on the Daily Path Joshua 14:12 "Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken."Hebrews 13:5,6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," • so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?" Psalm 71:16 I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone. Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Ephesians 6:14,12,13 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, • For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. • Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Judges 6:12,14 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, "The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior." • The LORD looked at him and said, "Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?" New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. 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