The Story of The Persistent Widow
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!’
“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.’”
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 earth when he returns?”
[Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright ©by Eugene H. Peterson, 1993, 1994, 1995. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.]
I remember one time during a testimony session in my local church at Kuching. A mother was sobbing up stage when she told about how long she had been praying for her family to accept Christ. Not 1 year or 2 years or even 3 years but only after 12 years, her persistence prayer had come into fruition. Sometime we are easily given up when we think that it may not be God’s will to give us what we desire. But actually, we never learn to give God time! Give God time! In His time, if our prayer agrees with God’s Word and led by the Spirit, He will perfect whatever concern you!
Andrew Murray writes, “It is stored up toward an answer which comes in due time to whomever perseveres to the end. Human thoughts and possibilities have nothing to do with it; only the Word of the Living God matters.” By persevering prayer, your faith is tested. You want it badly or it just a onetime prayer? Will you continue to press upward or lost hope over it? Can you believe in Him that He will answer your prayer or He is deaf that He cannot hear your cry? I love this: ‘Each believing prayer is a step nearer to the final victory!”
New Bible Commentary by IVP comments, “If even a judge who does not honor the laws of God and man can induced to act by the incessant appeals of a widow, how much more will God act to uphold his people when they cry to him.” Therefore, give God time. Keep persevering prayer!
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