Continual Coming

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!