Be Persistent

Is there nothing more persistent than a child asking for a treat in a store?  Ah, I see you smile.  It starts out as a request which turns into a plea which turns into a bellow which turns into a louder bellow and....well, you get the picture.  And it doesn't stop either does it?  Even threatening bodily injury through clenched teeth often will not stop them.  What a perfect definition of "persistence".


In my bible reading this morning I read a parable out of the book of Luke, chapter 18.  The story finds a widow who continually goes to see the judge of the town who "neither feared God or cared about men" in search of justice from an adversary.  The widow was persistent.  Day after day, continually she sought out the judge, over and over again seeking justice.  Remember, the judge could care less.  But the judge is quoted as saying, "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!"


Of this Jesus says, "Listen to what the unjust judge says!  And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night?  Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will see that they get justice and quickly."


Here is what this parable teaches me:


1.  Because the widow was persistent, the judge in the story finally gave her that which she asked for to satisfy her.  It was her persistence that made her noteworthy.


2.  The judge admittedly neither feared God nor cared about the affairs of man.  But how different our God is!  Jesus himself uses the story to convey that because we are his chosen one's God the father will bring justice to us.


3.  What is persistence?  To be persistent means to be never ending, tenacious, always occurring!  Bulldoggish, demanding, devoted, obsessive, perseverant.


When you have a need go to the Father in prayer not once, not twice but praying without ceasing.  1 Thessalonians 5 says, " Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."


In various other passages the plea or call to prayer includes such words as praying always, in every situation, devoted, faithful.  We are given an awesome direction on how to pray!


Why does it say in Thessalonians that this is Gods will for us?  Because in his rich wisdom he knows we will be changed from glory to glory when we spend time in his presence and our outlook and hope will be buoyed.  He knows we need him as much as he wishes to spend time with his chosen ones.  


If your heart is heavy ladened, gather up your cares and go to God in prayer and use this prescription "bulldoggedly" pray for that which is pressing upon your hearts.  Be like that widow --- don't give up, sink your teeth into it and rattle the gates of heaven with your requests!


"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need".  Hebrews 4:16