August 22

Luke 18:1-8 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

v.1 "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."

Observation

In this passage, Jesus is telling a parable to his disciples, and we see His intent quite clearly,
as verse 1 points out that the purpose of the parable was to teach them that they must continue
to pray and not give up. The parable gives as an example, an unrighteous judge who does not
care for anyone but responds to the widow's request solely because she is constant and
unfailing in her appeals for justice. She in effect nags the unrighteous judge into righteous
action because she will not give up. Jesus concludes by saying that if the unrighteous judge
who does not care about the widow will give justice just to avoid being hounded by her, then
God will bring justice (the kingdom of God) even more quickly since they are His chosen people.
However, there is a word of caution, as Jesus asks if God will find faith on earth when the
desired justice (kingdom of God) comes.

Application

It is clear from this passage that God responds to prayer and listens to His followers. And,
even more importantly, that we are valuable to Him; that unlike the unrighteous judge, God
cares for and about us.
We are to perserve and pray just like the widow nagged at the judge for God's justice - for
God's kingdom to come so that everyone may raise their voice in worship and bask in His presence.
Sometimes it may appear that we are losing the battle - that the voices of the faithful are
silenced and the world celebrates all the wrong things, but God is at work and ultimately,
justice will come and we just need to trust Him.
Our faith in our good God will help us to persevere and pray when we think that there is a delay
in God's repsonses to our prayers. And our faith will grow as we continue to pray and trust in our God.

Prayer

Lord, help us when we grow weary in our prayer life as we become impatient but help us to
persevere and continue to bring our requests before you and wait upon your timing. Thank you
for caring for each and every one of us and help us to trust you more each day. Amen.

--- SC