S4: Luke 18: 1-8 The Parable of the Persistent Widow

 Scripture Read.  Luke 18: 1-8  Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give.  He said, "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.  And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, "Grant me justice against my adversary."  for some time he refused.  But finally he said to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!"  And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says.  And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?  Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.  However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

Thought Applied.  Thought 1:  Even if an unjust judge will provide justice, think about how much better the justice will be from a just God?  Thought 2:  The widow got what she wanted because she was persistent - unwavering in her commitment to get justice.  Justice is more important to God, and you are more important to Him than the woman was to the judge, so answers/responses will come more quickly.

Application Made.  Pray.  Pray Again.  Pray once more.  

Response Prayer.  Lord, I know you could be a "one and done" Lord.  But sometimes you need to see that persistence in me, that I, too, value something and REALLY desire it.  I hurt for others, and sometimes I hurt for myself.  So I will pray.  And pray again.  And pray once more to show how much your response is needed in my life.

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