Luke 18:6-8 (ESV)
[6] And the Lord said, “Hear what
the unrighteous judge says. [7] And will not God give justice to his elect, who
cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? [8] I tell you, he will
give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the
Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
There are three truths in this
parable that Jesus told which we need to consider. First, if an unrighteous judge
will answer because of a persistent request, then can we not expect God to
answer our persistent prayers? Unlike the unrighteous judge, God is faithful
and actually cares for those who petition him. So we “ought always to pray and
not lose heart” (Lk 18:1).
Second, God will not only answer
our petitions, but he will answer without delay. Sometimes if feels like delay
to us. But God is not like the unrighteous judge who needs to be cajoled into
answering. Rather, he answers willingly and without delay. His timing is always
best.
But the final challenge of the
parable is perhaps the most telling. Will he find us faithful? “When the Son of
Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” It seems that the faithful and
persistent prayers of the saints are somehow a part of the answer to this
question. Prayer is communion with God, not just a shopping list presented to
him, yet prayer is to be faithful and persistent. Are we praying, and are we
praying that Jesus might find faith on the earth when he returns? Who are you
praying for that they might come to faith in Christ?
Comments
Post a Comment