Today’s Reading, Luke 17-18
Focal Scripture: Luke 18:5 “yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so that she doesn’t wear me out by her persistent coming.’”
I have a trait that causes me to be very annoying. I ask a lot of questions about topics. It doesn’t matter if I am well versed in that topic or just learning about it at that moment. I will pepper people with questions because I want to gain as much information as I possibly can so I can become more knowledgeable. The downside of this trait can cause people to avoid me because most times people don’t want to answer questions repeatedly on topics. The other problem is that this persistence doesn’t always transfer over to my prayer life with God.
In today’s reading Jesus is giving an example about a widow who keeps pestering a judge because she desired justice. The judge came to the conclusion that he will give her justice because if he doesn’t she will never let it go until she gets the answer she desires. Jesus wanted his hearers to understand that our spiritual life must be this persistent. We must be willing to do whatever it takes for however long it takes to hear from the Lord.
Today, I am challenging myself. When I pray I must become more consistent. I want the Lord to know that when I come to him I will never back down or stop asking him for the desires of my heart. You see when I spend more time with the Lord his desires will be my desires. I want to be persistent because it will give me more spiritual faith and trust. Persistence will also help me become more mature spiritually.
Right now, I have a few things I am praying through. However, I am not being persistent with the Lord. My desire is to not only knock on the door of heaven but to continue to knock until the Lord answers. I need to do this because it’s biblical. Also I need to do this to show my son and my wife how biblical persistence looks.
This means when I struggle or have doubts I need to go to God more, not less. It means my heart should be poured out until he responds. It also means I must make a decision and a plan to pray to the Lord.
If you see me, challenge me about my prayer life. Ask if I am being more persistent. Ask if I am beating on the doors of heaven. After all it is not knowledge I should seek but the face of the Lord.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Luke 19–20
