Luke and the Lost

Are we there yet? When’s lunch? Are we there yet? When’s lunch? Can I have this? When can I have this? Can I have this now? Paaaleeeese, can I have this now? Why? Why can’t I have this? When we don’t get answers quickly from mom or dad, we change the topic for a bit to “I’m hungry” or I have to go to the bathroom. My all time favorite nagging came from our oldest at an early age, on a hot Oklahoma day, while in the car, “I am NOT at maximum comfort!”. She was reading the knob on the air conditioner unit. This persistent asking happens when adults are doing things that kids get bored with easily. After a few minutes, the kids jump back to when can we go? Can we go now? When’s lunch? Are we there yet? Can I have this now?

I smile as I remember the constant, Mom, Mom, MOM from my own kids as they were pretty persistent in their asking for something. I now watch their kids do the same. This persistent asking seems to be born within all of us.

Jesus taps into that with a story about a persistent widow…

The Story of the Persistent Widow
18 1-3 Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’

4-5 “He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’”

6-8 Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”

What do we glean from Jesus today? PRAY CONSISTENTLY, never give up. Why? God is listening. God will step in and work justice. When we cry out, in sincere, persistent faith, our just God will provide exactly what HE knows we need at exactly the right time. He will not drag His feet. Be assured.

Another thought…when kids don’t get what they want when they want it…they turn to fighting with each other. Church, don’t. When we don’t get what we think God should deliver, our persistent faith falters and we begin to turn on each other and find fault with each other. Church, don’t.

Dear Heavenly Father, How awesome You are! You are God, a just God, and we are not. You know what we need before we need it. You rescue us before we know we need rescued. But we will continue to pray without ceasing as the Apostle Paul writes. Jesus, dear Jesus, I think you tell us to pray continuously so we can have daily conversations with you which help us to know YOUR heart and what YOUR will is for us.

We are assured You want the best for us. We are assured you hear us. Somehow, my faith is not only persistent but now affirmed because of your “I assure you.” May you always find us persistently faithful as we continuously cry out for justice in this world that is not our final destination. Are we there yet, Lord? Not quite. So we will pray. All day and all night…In Jesus Name, Amen