A Lesson On Persistence

Luke 18:1-8 (NIVUK)

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: ‘In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, "Grant me justice against my adversary." For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, "Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!" And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.' 

Jesus' parables communicate deep spiritual principles and truths. In one season of my life, I prayed daily for opportunities to live out my Christian life and experience what I was learning.

At that time, in the city of Lagos, I was running a fashion brand. One day I'd finished my market-run buying fabrics for my designs and was about to catch a taxi home. I was waiting by the road-side with a crowd of people, when a young street-hawker implored me to buy his oranges. I wasn’t craving any and they didn’t look fresh enough for anyone to want them, including me. I looked away. He stayed and kept imploring loudly, 'Buy my oranges!' To avoid his shouting, I moved a few paces away. The young boy followed me, stood beside me and said, 'Uncle, buy my oranges.' I replied with an awkward grin - 'I don’t need them.' Now he was causing a scene and the crowd started asking, 'Do you know him?' I exclaimed 'No!' They bade him to leave me alone. Then my lift arrived and, about to leave, I had a sense Jesus was saying to me, 'Now reward his persistence, pay for the oranges.' I obeyed. I was then immediately reminded that I had read this Scripture earlier that week and not really understood. This event is indelible on my mind and the lesson on persistence learned. 

You might think, because you prayed and the answer hasn’t arrived, what’s the point of continually seeking God on the issue? We read today that Jesus is always listening and rewards the persistent cry of believers. Faith is not giving up! Faith is to remain steadfastly praying even when we can’t see the answer. Do you have long standing prayer requests? Here’s Jesus encouraging you to persist. 

Prayer: Jesus help me to stay persistent in prayer.