Friday, November 18
Don’t give up
Scripture: Job 8-10, Luke 18
Luke 18:1 Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up.
Luke 18:39 Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Observation
Luke tells us (uncharacteristically) the meaning of Jesus’ parable about the widow and the unjust judge. The lesson: pray always and don’t give up—don’t lose heart or get discouraged and quit praying.
The final story in the chapter—Jesus healing blind Bartimaeus—reinforces this lesson. When Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, begins shouting (lit. shrieking) to get Jesus’ attention, the crowd tells him to be quiet. But he would not be discouraged and give up—he kept crying out all the more. And Jesus heard him and healed him. A living example of the lesson to pray always and not give up.
Application
I’m praying about some situations that I’ve grown discouraged about and been tempted to give up. But Jesus clearly intends that I keep praying, and said that God would hear and act. So…keep praying. Don’t give up. I’ll list those below in my extended prayer time…and I’ll keep praying.
Prayer: Lord, I needed this reminder today. And remind me again…and again…each time I lose heart and want to give up. Help me to keep praying…or as the old-timers used to say, to “pray through” until the answer comes, like Bartimaeus did.