Persistence as Christians

 

Persistence

I will be the first to admit that I don’t have all of the virtues of a good Christian. I find myself being impatient. There are times when I find myself fighting doubt especially when I look at my wallet and it is empty, and there is a bill that is due. I know God promised to supply our needs. I know God has come through for me time after time, but there are days when I am find myself having to do battle in my mind. It’s one thing to speak faith, and other to truly live it. So, yes, I fall short sometimes in the patient’s department. And, sometimes, I get weak in the faith department. However, when it comes to persistence, I can be relentless. Psst…my mother calls it stubbornness, but I call it determination.

Luke 18:1-6 is one of my favorite parables. It is the story of the persistent widow. This woman justice, so she went to the judge. She didn’t just stop by and state her case. She came by every day. The widow didn’t stop when people began to talk about her. She didn’t stop going because she was tired. She didn’t pay the stares of people any attention. The judge had something she wanted…justice. And, she was determined to get it. Eventually, the judge got tired of her coming and decided to give her what she wanted.

As Christians, we must be persistent. We can’t give up when times are hard. We must continue to press on. We can’t stop praying for that wayward child or straying husband. We have to press on in prayer and in praise. We have to be like the woman with an issue of blood. We have to know that “if we can just reach the hem of his garment”. We have to know that God will provide justice for us. He hears our prayers. Even when it seems like he isn’t working, he is. God is working it all out for our good.

Habakkuk says “For the vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it.” God is a just judge. He will provide a just answer.

So, don’t give up on that sinner for whom you are praying. It is our privilege and our duty to stand in the gap for the lost.

Don’t lose hope. That the situation on your job will change. God will change the circumstances or he will change you.

Pray and press on!

Luke 18: 1-6

Habakkuk 2:2-3

Luke 8:43-48