The Persistent Widow

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Persistent Widow

Date: Jul. 26, 2017

Passage

Luke 18:1-8 (ESV)

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 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?”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 18:1

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

1. The widow and the judge (1-5)

Jesus told a parable to teach his disciples to pray and not give up. Prayer is the sign of our dependence on God. Prayer is our secret weapon. Prayer is the measure of our faith. The widow in the parable wanted justice. She didn't give up, but came again and again to ask the judge for justice against her adversary. The judge did not fear God or care what people thought, but he couldn't endure the widow's persistent asking, so he granted her request. Like this woman, we should pray and not give up. We should ask, seek and knock until the door is opened. (Lk 11:9)

2. God and his chosen ones (6-8)

God is our true Judge; he loves justice and what is more, he loves his chosen ones. When we cry to him in prayer and keep on praying, he will surely answer. Why, then, don't God's people pray? Jesus says that it is a matter of faith. If we have faith, we will pray. When Jesus comes again, he will look for men and women of faith.

Prayer: Lord, give me faith to pray persistently and not to give up, trusting you are my Judge and that you love me.

One Word: Pray and don't give up!

Repent of Compromise with the World

Revelation 2:12-29

Key Verse: 2:16

Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.

Today's Question

What are the reasons for the second commandment?

See answer and references