September 30 2013
Continual Coming – Manna by Dorothy Callies
Luke 18:5 “Yet
because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual
coming she weary me” (KJV).
You know, I had
wondered about keeping on asking the Father about the healing for some of my
Deaf friends who had ongoing vision problems. Until I read this, I realized
Jesus was giving me an instruction. “But this woman is driving me crazy. I’m
going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her
constant requests” (NLT)! Don’t you love this? Let’s read on.
Reading from Luke 18:1-8, Jesus gave a parable
that we ought always to pray, and not to give up easily. The word “always”
means at all times. Jesus told about a judge and the widow who kept coming to him
for help. The word “persistent” means continuing and stubbornly determined. Another
important word is “persevere” which are often used as “persevere in prayer.” It
means to keep at something in spite of difficulties, opposition, or
discouragement.
There was the unjust
judge. The judge had no fear of God. The idea is that the judge took bribes and
gave favors to person who held position and authority. There was the poor widow
who had no money to bribe the judge. The widow was all alone with no money to
get legal counsel to plead her case. The widow was persecuted, being taken
advantage of some adversary or enemy. The widow kept coming to the judge and
asked him to help her, to get rid of her adversary.
The judge ignored her. The judge did not move
to help her. The judge was silent. The Scripture quoted, He “would not for a
while,” but the poor widow kept on coming and coming, pleading and pleading.
She would not let the judge rest. Finally, he gave in to the widow and helped
her of her adversary.
Why the judge gave
in? Because of her “continual coming.” The
judge could not get rid of her. The judge said, “Even though I don’t respect
God or care about people, I will see that she gets her rights. Otherwise she
will continue to bother me until I am worn out” (NCV).
The Lord said,
“Listen to what the unfair judge said.” What Jesus meant was the unfair judge
holds a great lesson for believers. Hear, give attention and thought to what He
teaches. Then Jesus said, “Shall not God help his own people who cry to Him,
day and night?” Jesus used a story of the unjust judge to compare that God is
far better because He does listen to the cry and Jesus said, “I tell you, God
will help His people quickly” (Luke 18:8a NCV).
Luke 18:1 “Men ought
always to pray, and not to faint.” Jesus’ word was strong and forceful in
stressing the believer’s duty to persevere in prayer. The word “ought” means it
is absolutely necessary that we persevere in prayer. The word “always” means at
all times. The words “not to faint” mean not to lose heart, or give up, give in
to evil. To pray is to “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek His face
continually" (1 Chron.16:11).
Prayer: Thank You,
Lord for this word of encouragement that in spite of what was happening around
us, You stress strongly for us to keep on praying and to believe that He does
hear our cry and to keep on trusting Heavenly Father. Thank You for the peace
inside of us, knowing that You have a plan for us. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen
and amen!
May the Lord touch
your heart that God does care!