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 Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed.There are several instructive features in our Saviour's prayer in his hour of trial. It was lonely prayer. He withdrew even from his three favored disciples. Believer, be much in solitary prayer, especially in times of trial. Family prayer, social prayer, prayer in the Church, will not suffice, these are very precious, but the best beaten spice will smoke in your censer in your private devotions, where no ear hears but God's. It was humble prayer. Luke says he knelt, but another evangelist says he "fell on his face." Where, then, must be thy place, thou humble servant of the great Master? What dust and ashes should cover thy head! Humility gives us good foot-hold in prayer. There is no hope of prevalence with God unless we abase ourselves that he may exalt us in due time. It was filial prayer. "Abba, Father." You will find it a stronghold in the day of trial to plead your adoption. You have no rights as a subject, you have forfeited them by your treason; but nothing can forfeit a child's right to a father's protection. Be not afraid to say, "My Father, hear my cry." Observe that it was persevering prayer. He prayed three times. Cease not until you prevail. Be as the importunate widow, whose continual coming earned what her first supplication could not win. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Lastly, it was the prayer of resignation. "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." Yield, and God yields. Let it be as God wills, and God will determine for the best. Be thou content to leave thy prayer in his hands, who knows when to give, and how to give, and what to give, and what to withhold. So pleading, earnestly, importunately, yet with humility and resignation, thou shalt surely prevail. Daily Light on the Daily Path Genesis 13:10,11 Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere-- this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah-- like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. • So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other.2 Peter 2:7,8 and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men • (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Luke 17:32 "Remember Lot's wife. 2 Corinthians 6:14,17 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? • "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. Ephesians 5:7,8,10,11 Therefore do not be partakers with them; • for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light • trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. • Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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