ALWAYS PRAY AND NOT GIVE UP

Passage: Luke 18:1-8

Key verse: 1

NIV

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.(A) 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice(B) against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”(C)

6 And the Lord(D) said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out(E) to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man(F) comes,(G) will he find faith on the earth?”

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought (A)always to pray and not (B)lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who (C)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, (D)‘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 (E)will not God give justice to (F)his elect, (G)who cry to him day and night? (H)(I)Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them (J)speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, (K)will he find faith on earth?”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. 'Grant me justice against my adversary' (1-5)

In view of the hardship coming on the earth (17:3

-36), Jesus wanted his disciples to have prayerful faith. In his parable, the widow is powerless and completely at the mercy of an unjust judge. Justice, for her, was a matter of life and death. Yet it seemed impossible to obtain since the judge did not fear God and controlled the situation. But she did not give up! Her persistence in bringing her plea to him eventually wore him down. She never wavered in her pursuit of justice. This wicked judge was completely moved by her, even to fear, so he yielded, finally granting her justice.

2. 'Will he find faith on the earth?' (6-8)

Jesus' point is this: God is not like the unjust judge! If such a wicked man is persuaded to grant justice, how much more will God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night! God will surely grant justice; there can be no doubt about that. But Jesus wonders: When he comes, will he find faith on the earth, faith that cries out to God day and night? Let's do so starting today.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you are not like the unjust judge but hear and answer our crying out prayer faithfully. Help me pray and not give up.

One Word: Don't give up; Pray!