Persistent

Luke 18:1-8 (The Message)

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 for 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 you really want? What will you do to get it?

I know what our 20 month old son wants.

He wants blues clues. He wants juice. He wants his blankie.

How do I know?

He asks. Repeatedly. Trust me.

"Juice. Juice. Juice. Juice. Juice. Juice. Juice! Juice! Juice! JUICE!! JUICE!! JUICE!!"

After just a few "JUICES," it's pretty clear what he wants. And, it's not an unreasonable demand. We give him juice. And, he will keep asking until he gets it. I'm not sure how many times he might be willing to repeat the word juice, but my hunch is that it's probably about 549.

Jesus tells us this might just be a model for our prayer lives. Isn't that remarkable?

The widow in Jesus' story has one clear feature in her personality: persistence.

She knows what she really wants...justice. And she's willing to knock on the door of that unjust judge until she receives it.

Now, God is not "unjust." Jesus is saying that if even a bad person will eventually respond to persistence, how much more (and sooner) will our good Father respond?

What Jesus questions is whether there is any real persistence to be found?

We do give up pretty easily, don't we? If we don't receive the first time, we grow discouraged or uncertain. But this scripture reminds me that if we are convinced that God wants us to pray over a certain situation...or even for a certain outcome...we should not grow weary.

We should ask. We should be encouraged by the Holy Spirit...to be persistent.

Prayer: God we pray first that you would show us the right place to put our persistent energies and prayers. We pray for your Holy Spirit, that we will not grow weary in pursuing what is right. Most of all, we pray that you will give us an unending hunger for righteousness, justice, peace and joy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.