Perseverance in Prayer: Trusting God's Justice and Timing

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer

In the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, we see a powerful illustration of the importance of perseverance in prayer. The widow, despite her vulnerability and societal disadvantage, continues to seek justice from a judge who neither fears God nor respects people. Her relentless pursuit of justice, even when it seems futile, serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. Often, we find ourselves in situations where our prayers seem unanswered, and we feel like giving up. Yet, the widow's unwavering determination teaches us the value of persistence in prayer. We are encouraged to continue praying, trusting that God hears us and will respond in His time. [51:27]

Luke 11:9-10 (ESV): "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."

Reflection: Think of a prayer request you have been waiting on. How can you renew your commitment to pray persistently for this request today?

Day 2: Trusting in God's Just and Loving Nature

The parable contrasts the unjust judge with God's just and loving nature. While the judge acts out of selfishness, God acts consistently with His character, which is good and loving. This assurance gives us confidence to persist in prayer, knowing that God is for us. If an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will a just and loving God respond to the cries of His chosen ones? Our prayers are not attempts to manipulate God but are expressions of faith in His character and promises. We are encouraged to trust that God hears us and will act in His perfect timing. [59:09]

Psalm 145:17-19 (ESV): "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you doubted God's goodness. How can you remind yourself of His just and loving nature in your current circumstances?

Day 3: Faith in Action

Jesus challenges us to examine our faith, asking if He will find faith on earth upon His return. True faith is demonstrated through actions consistent with belief, such as persistent prayer, even in the face of adversity. Faith is not merely belief but is demonstrated through actions consistent with that belief. We are reminded that our struggles and prayers are part of a larger narrative where God is actively working to set things right. This call to action encourages us to remain steadfast in our trust in God, even when circumstances seem dire. [01:02:40]

James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where your actions do not align with your faith. What steps can you take today to bring your actions in line with your beliefs?

Day 4: God's Promise of Justice

The parable assures us that God will bring justice for His chosen ones. Our prayers are not in vain, as God is actively working to set things right. We are reminded to trust in His timing and character. Even when we feel powerless or ignored, we are encouraged to continue praying, trusting that God hears us and will respond in His time. This promise of justice gives us hope and assurance that God is with us and will make all things new. [01:10:19]

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."

Reflection: Consider a situation where you are seeking justice. How can you trust in God's promise to bring justice in His perfect timing?

Day 5: Living with Unusual Character

We are called to be people of unusual character, trusting in God's goodness and remaining persistent in prayer. Despite life's challenges, we hold firm to the promise that God is with us and will make all things new. The parable of the persistent widow challenges us to remain steadfast in our trust in God, even when circumstances seem dire. As we navigate life's uncertainties, let us hold firm to the promise that God is with us, and one day, He will make all things new. [01:17:39]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate unusual character in your daily life this week? How can this action reflect your trust in God's goodness?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of Luke 18, we delve into the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, a story that challenges us to persevere in prayer despite feeling powerless or ignored. The widow, a symbol of vulnerability and societal disadvantage, stands alone before a judge who neither fears God nor respects people. Her relentless pursuit of justice, despite the odds stacked against her, serves as a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journey. We often find ourselves in situations where our prayers seem unanswered, and we feel like giving up. Yet, the widow's unwavering determination teaches us the value of persistence in prayer.

The judge, who eventually grants the widow justice to rid himself of her persistence, acts out of selfishness. This contrasts sharply with God's character, who is just and loving. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate that if an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will a just and loving God respond to the cries of His chosen ones? Our prayers are not attempts to manipulate God but are expressions of faith in His character and promises. We are encouraged to trust that God hears us and will act in His perfect timing.

The parable also prompts us to examine our faith. Jesus asks if, upon His return, He will find faith on earth. This question challenges us to remain steadfast in our trust in God, even when circumstances seem dire. Faith is not merely belief but is demonstrated through actions consistent with that belief, such as persistent prayer. We are reminded that our struggles and prayers are part of a larger narrative where God is actively working to set things right.

In our lives, like Anna, Sarah, Marcus, and the Doherty family, we face challenges that test our faith and perseverance. Yet, we are called to be people of unusual character, trusting in God's goodness and remaining persistent in prayer. As we navigate life's uncertainties, let us hold firm to the promise that God is with us, and one day, He will make all things new.

Key Takeaways

1. Perseverance in Prayer: The widow's persistence in seeking justice from an unjust judge teaches us the importance of perseverance in prayer. Even when we feel powerless or ignored, we are encouraged to continue praying, trusting that God hears us and will respond in His time. [51:27]
2. **God's Character vs. the Unjust Judge:** The parable contrasts the unjust judge with God's just and loving nature. While the judge acts out of selfishness, God acts consistently with His character, which is good and loving. This assurance gives us confidence to persist in prayer, knowing that God is for us. [59:09]
3. Faith and Action: Jesus challenges us to examine our faith, asking if He will find faith on earth upon His return. True faith is demonstrated through actions consistent with belief, such as persistent prayer, even in the face of adversity. [62:40]
4. God's Promise of Justice: The parable assures us that God will bring justice for His chosen ones. Our prayers are not in vain, as God is actively working to set things right. We are reminded to trust in His timing and character. [70:19]
5. Living with Unusual Character: We are called to be people of unusual character, trusting in God's goodness and remaining persistent in prayer. Despite life's challenges, we hold firm to the promise that God is with us and will make all things new. [01:17:39]
** [77:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to the Parable
[02:15] - The Struggles of Anna, Sarah, Marcus, and the Doherty Family
[05:45] - The Characters in the Parable
[08:20] - The Widow's Persistence
[11:00] - The Judge's Response
[13:30] - The Contrast Between God and the Judge
[16:10] - The Call to Persistent Prayer
[18:45] - Faith and Its Expression
[21:00] - God's Promise of Justice
[23:30] - Living with Unusual Character
[26:00] - The Challenge of Faith
[28:15] - Conclusion and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the characteristics of the judge in the parable, and how do they contrast with the widow's situation? [51:27]
How does the widow demonstrate persistence in her pursuit of justice? [51:27]
What is the judge's reasoning for eventually granting the widow's request? [59:09]
How does Jesus use the parable to illustrate God's response to persistent prayer? [01:02:40]

Interpretation Questions

What does the parable suggest about the nature of God compared to the unjust judge? How does this affect our understanding of prayer? [59:09]
How does the widow's persistence serve as a model for believers facing challenges in their prayer life? [51:27]
In what ways does the parable challenge believers to examine their faith and trust in God's timing and justice? [01:10:19]
How does the parable encourage believers to maintain faith and persistence in prayer despite feeling powerless or ignored? [01:02:40]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like giving up on prayer. How can the widow's persistence inspire you to continue praying in that situation? [51:27]
The judge acted out of selfishness, while God acts out of love and justice. How does this understanding change the way you approach God in prayer? [59:09]
Jesus asks if He will find faith on earth upon His return. What steps can you take to ensure your faith remains strong and active, especially in difficult times? [01:10:19]
Identify a specific area in your life where you feel powerless. How can you apply the lesson of persistent prayer to that situation this week? [51:27]
Consider the challenges faced by Anna, Sarah, Marcus, and the Doherty family. How can their stories encourage you to trust in God's goodness and remain persistent in prayer? [01:17:39]
What practical actions can you take to demonstrate faith through persistent prayer, even when circumstances seem dire? [01:02:40]
How can you support others in your community who are struggling to persevere in prayer? What role can you play in encouraging their faith journey? [01:17:39]

Sermon Clips

"Have you ever cried out to God? Have you prayed and prayed and kept praying in perseverance? But have you felt small and powerless and felt like the odds are just continuing to stack up against you and then you've wondered if God cares or if God hears? Now we do know that it is good to persevere in prayer and we know that it is okay to ask again and again but when things don't change or even if things get worse and worse it gets harder for us to persevere and to keep our faith in God." [00:47:48]

"Anna was a girl who wondered if God knew what it was like for her to be single. She watched her friends hook up and go out and become couples but she was still left single and she prayed and prayed. For her, find me somebody to love was not just a lyric in a Queen song but a personal and private and persistent prayer." [00:48:29]

"Perhaps this morning you can identify with some of those feelings. Perhaps for you things have gone from bad to worse and although you have prayed and prayed you feel like things don't change and they actually get worse or harder and you feel like no one is listening to your cries and you feel like giving up and you wonder where God is in all of this." [00:50:28]

"We as Christians have been given the gift of prayer and it's good to be like this old widow. It's good to persist in prayers, to keep asking and not give up. Sometimes when we ask for something it's good to hold on to our conviction that it's good and right to ask for this thing before God and so to keep asking for this thing." [00:56:30]

"Now sometimes when we pray God gives an answer but it is actually a change of direction for us as we listen to God. We sense that God is answering our prayer in a different way or even shifting our desire or showing us an answer that we didn't expect. Now I read of a family who prayed that their disabled daughter would be able to speak and they saw God give a valid answer to that prayer in the provision of technology and computers that aided communication to some degree." [00:56:56]

"Notice what Jesus is saying. Like the unjust judge, God will act consistently with his character, but God's character is unlike the unjust judge. Did you get that? To try and put it more simply, God like the unjust judge will be consistent with who he is but God is not an unjust judge do you see it there's a connection here both will act consistently with character even though there is a massive contrast between God and the judge but by telling us the story the way he does Jesus gives us great grounds for confidence and for persistent prayer it's kind of a how much more kind of argument the judge acted but God is so much more and so much better God is for his people God hears his chosen ones he won't keep putting them off sometimes it does look like God is not giving us justice or or hearing our prayers sometimes in this world we do cry out with our persistent prayer and we might want to give up but our cry doesn't just cry out to an uncaring immovable power no it goes up a cry to the God who hears and cares and the God who loves his people the God who loves you and our confidence is that that God will not become annoyed when those who are his cry out to him day after day you can keep praying that same persistent prayer and you can know that God is listening and know this God won't ignore our cries our God will bring a day of justice for he cares about setting things right and when God acts justice will come and it will come quickly God is not impotent no no he is powerful to bring justice when he chooses God does listen to his chosen ones as they cry out for help and justice because not only is he consistent with his character he's the just judge who is concerned and involved in things in this world even though things are not that are not right so Jesus tells us this parable so that those of us who cry out will turn those cries into a persistent prayer that we present to God with confidence and we pray knowing God hears and cares and our prayers are a request that God do what he is willing to do that that God acts consistently with who he is and that he keeps doing the kind of things he's doing in this world see prayer is never a thing to try to bend or manipulate God but rather a request that God do the sort of thing he's willing to do and able to do persistent prayer asks God to act consistently with his good and loving character we don't persist in order to pester God in asking for something good we persist because we know the goodness and character of God prayer always comes from that ground of confidence that if something is disturbing and unjust to you it's also a concern in the mind and heart of God and he would have you pray regularly and consistently about that and keep remembering the gospel we take our prayers to the God who from the foundation of this world decided to act in history to save people in Jesus the God the gospel reminds us that God is in the business of setting things right when we pray we pray to God through Christ in Jesus name who is our elder brother and it's Jesus who gives new life to us through his defeat of the reign of sin in Adam and he will one day rid the world of all rebellion and restore his creation Jesus will judge wickedness and vindicate his chosen ones one day with speed I see the gospel says there's no question about what God is like and what God will do in his world one day Jesus will bring his kingdom of justice for his people under him I've just finished reading the book the Lord of the Rings it's a fantastic book it's such a great moment in the book where Sam Gamgee awakens having survived their quest and he asks a question in anticipation of the new age he asked this is everything sad going to come untrue what amazing words for Tolkien to include in his epic novel you know what an interesting description of glory everything sad coming untrue it sounds a lot like Revelation 21 5 behold I'm making all things so and you" [01:04:59]

"Anna was praying about being single. Sarah was praying about having children. Marcus was praying for deeper friendships. The Doherty's were praying for their son to be healed. In all of those struggles, God will be working, sometimes to grow the people. And one day, he will take all those groans away." [01:14:57]

"Perhaps today, for you, the injustices, the problems, the worries of life are just too big to be ignored. And perhaps you feel overwhelmed and ready to give up. Maybe you've even doubted God because things are going from bad to worse. And Jesus calls us to be people of unusual character as we live in this world of sin and injustice." [01:15:22]

"This week, you might lose your job or be ripped off or be taken advantage of. You might fail in your course or your future might suddenly become uncertain. In that moment, keep being a person of faith. Don't give up and do pray. Let's be people of unusual character that despite the obstacles, let's be people of persistent prayer and people whose faith is firm in the character and the consistency of our God and people who don't give up. Let's pray." [01:16:12]

"Our God, thank you that in this world, we can trust you. And thank you that you have given us the gift of prayer and in the gospel, we know what you are doing in this world in and through our Lord Jesus. You will set everything right and that will be for us as your people. It will be for your glory, but it will be for our good. And so help us to trust you." [01:16:38]

"Heavenly Father, there might be a thought in our mind right now, a prayer that we've been praying that we need to keep praying. Help us to keep being persistent with that prayer that you're bringing to our mind right now. For some of us, there might be something we haven't prayed yet, that we've been doubting, not really trusting you. Give us the courage to grab that thing, form it into words and make it a prayer before you. Perhaps even write it down." [01:17:15]

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