***Tomorrow is not promised. Today is all we have. If you are reading this and haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior, would you consider doing so right now? Jesus died so He could have a personal relationship with you and so that one day, when you leave this earth, you can spend eternity with Him. You can say a prayer similar to this:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. You showed Your great love for me, while I was in my sinful state, by sending Jesus Christ to die for me. Today, right now, I declare that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. Please enter into my heart, Lord Jesus, forgive me of all of my sins, and seal me with Your Holy Spirit. I choose this day to live for You, all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you said this prayer (or something similar) and you truly meant it, welcome to the family of God! Angels in heaven are rejoicing with you on the best decision you will ever make in life, and so am I! Please send me an email (ladyinwaiting222@gmail.com) or respond to this post so I can celebrate with you!
Now on to our post for today!
Scary times we are living in wouldn’t you say?!
In this time of Jesus’ modern day flipping over tables and exposing the hearts and evil intentions of mankind, I would be lying if I didn’t wonder, “What else Lord?” There are 92 days left in this year and while I am not here to bring you gloom and doom, I hope that you have been shaken awake, sobered up, and alert, paying attention to the gravity of this season we are living in. There is no regard for human life, from the womb to the tomb. We have called good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20). We have continued to exchange the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25), and chosen money, power, status and greed over saving lives. We’ve found pleasure in tearing down our own brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ and the list goes on and on.
My hope is that this post will encourage you to continue hoping, believing, being expectant and most of all…keep praying. I read these scriptures recently and even blogged about it before, but it has taken on a new meaning for me in this season of such division in our world and in the face of so many injustices.
Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit.
Luke 18:1, MSG
Jesus taught the apostles to keep praying and never stop or lose hope.
Luke 18:1, TPT
The story Luke is referring to is of an unrighteous, ungodly judge, who could care less about what God or other people thought, being badgered by a persistent widow who was demanding justice and protection against her oppressor. The woman was so unrelenting and probably very annoying to the judge, so much so that he granted her request because he wanted her to leave him alone. The Passion translation says it like this:
Eventually he said to himself, ‘This widow keeps annoying me, demanding her rights, and I’m tired of listening to her. Even though I’m not a religious man and don’t care about the opinions of others, I’ll just get her off my back by answering her claims for justice and I’ll rule in her favor. Then she’ll leave me alone.’”
Luke 18:4-5, TPT
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.
Luke 18:6-8, MSG
God has been dealing with me about something and perhaps you can relate: I have left Him alone, many times. I have not been like this persistent widow, who frankly was not going to give up until she got what she was requesting. She would not leave him alone. I would not be characterized as one who is persistent, unrelenting, or one who doesn’t take no for an answer. Many may describe my personality as very laid back, calm and many times, having a “it is what it is” attitude. Sure, I have bombarded heaven when there has been a desperate need for myself or someone I know and care about, and in some instances, on behalf of someone I didn’t know. Yet, this approach is not my norm and I have lived most of my life like this. I have approached business, my career and my personal life this way. I don’t like to ask people for things, especially as it relates to them helping me to do something. Perhaps, I feel like I am bothering the person. Well, guess what? I have been the same way with God and He has called me out on it several times!
Not surprisingly, it has also been my approach to prayer, especially concerning some things I have frankly just given up on ever happening. As a result, I may ask God once, twice, and sometimes 3 times about something. Then I give up and don’t ask anymore. I have left Him alone because I don’t want to feel like I am bothering Him. Can you relate?
When I read these scriptures, however, I began to think about this: an unrighteous judge granted this woman’s request and “rul[ed] in her favor” simply because she was persistent. She didn’t leave him alone. She didn’t do anything special. She kept on asking, pleading, and crying out to this judge. How much more would the Lord do for me and you, if we don’t leave Him alone (unless what we are asking is simply not His will for us).
You and I have direct access to the Righteous Judge, who desires to hear our requests, no matter how many or how many times or how long. He hears us if we continue to cry out for help. With everything that is happening in our world right now, it is very easy to just give up, to quit, to stop and to lose hope. If we just look around, it seems like things are getting worse. And they are. However, our God is consistent. He is also the same yesterday, today and forever. He responds to those who A.S.K. (Luke 11:9-10). He desires to hear from us. In fact, Jesus said that He would be looking for this kind of persistent faith when He returns (Luke 18:8). Why not get your practice now?
Keep praying while you wait.
Keep believing while you wait.
Keep hoping while you wait.
May we be found persistent Lord–in our prayers and in our faith. May we never, ever ever leave You alone Lord!
Genesis 2:22, NLT
Scripture references: The Holy Bible (NLT, MSG, TPT)
Sign up here and never miss a post!
Grab my free 5 day devotional!
Photo credit: canva.com, tenor.com
Please like, share and comment.
LET’S STAY CONNECTED:
Lady In Waiting 222 