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Luke 18:1-8
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
In our home group, we've been watching Bob Sorge's Secrets of the Secret Place DVD Series. I had read this book back in 2002. It had impacted me then and it is definitely relevant now! I want to summarize what has jumped out at me recently. Timely!
Have you been praying for something for a very long time awaiting God's answer?
Has the Lord been silent?
Does the enemy speak lies and scoff at you asking when is the promise coming?
This parable tells us "always ought to pray and not lose heart". The widow was persistent. She went back to that judge repeatedly - crying out for justice from her adversary. She didn't give up. She prayed and cried out until she got her answer. That is what God wants from us. He wants us to persist in prayer and faith until He chooses the perfect time to answer.
This is hard to do. There are scoffers that tell you to quit and just move on. They tell you that God is not going to do this for you. This is a pipe dream. He hasn't shown up yet, why would He now? You're making a fool out of yourself believing for something this big. Sometimes the scoffer, is even our own thoughts?
The prayer of the upright is His delight Proverbs 15:8
God wants us to cry out to Him. And He is with us cheering us on. He knows that at the right time, He will avenge His elect. He will bring forth restoration and restitution and the wait will be worth it.
How many of you have waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and waited and then SUDDENLY God shows up and answers your prayer! This seems to be a common practice in the Christian walk....well at least in our walk.
When God comes on the scene and your prayers are being answered after such a long, intense wait, He not only brings restoration of all you lost, He brings restitution.
Restoration - the biblical meaning is to receive back more than has been lost to the point where the final state is greater than the original condition.
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. Joel 2:25-26
For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord Jeremiah 30:17
And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10
Restitution - means damages for loss sustained over time.
He shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
Proverbs 6:31
Though waiting on the Lord is difficult, it has some pretty amazing benefits! As believers, it strengthens our faith and trust in Him. It refines us like gold. It deepens our commitment to Him. And you get blessed by the Lord way beyond measure for remaining faithful in prayer until He answers and fulfills the promises!
Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3Prayer requests;
Ken - Please pray for God to open a door for additional income while we wait and stamina, energy and sleep too.
Michele - Please pray for healing to manifest, energy and consistent sleep. Pray for motivation (which comes w/sleep) to continue to write - books, preparation for food blog, etc)
Ministry - Our Thurs night group has grown and is going well. We are thankful for this opportunity to lead and minister. Please pray for the open doors to step into the fullness - building the retreat property and equipping center.
Pray for grace for us to wait patiently......
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