Daily Prayer_February 8, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 8:14-15 (MSG)
¹⁴ Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics; I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out. ¹⁵ With my help, leaders rule, and lawmakers legislate fairly;

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 142:2 (HCSB)
I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 18:2-5 (HCSB)
² "There was a judge in a certain town who didn't fear God or respect man. ³ And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' ⁴ "For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or respect man, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn't wear me out by her persistent coming.'"

My observation:

Jesus used a parable to teach his disciples the power of persistence. In this parable a poor widow was able to obtain justice from a wicked judge because of her persistence. This judge did not fear God, and he had no respect for this woman. He was out to get what he could for himself. The rich bribe him, and the powerful could get a fair hearing, but this poor widow didn't stand of chance of getting justice.

The injustice in the world can cause you to get discouraged. Jesus taught his disciples that being persistent in prayer will keep you from getting discouraged. Don't focus on injustice; there will always be people like the judge in this parable.

Ecclesiastes 3:16 (HCSB)
I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness.

In this parable the wicked judge got tired of the woman's persistence and he caved in to her demands for justice. Why did the judge grant this woman her request? The judge tells us why.

Luke 18:5 (HCSB)
yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice, so she doesn't wear me out by her persistent coming.'"

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for this parable that emphasizes the importance of perseverance in obtaining justice. Father, I thank you that I don't have to seek justice from an unjust judge, but that I can bring all of my needs to you in prayer.

Luke 11:9-10 (HCSB)
⁹ "So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

 
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My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
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Start the Day Concentrating On:

1. Our power instead of our problems.

2. Our faith instead of our fears.

3. Our Savior instead of our sins.

4. Our triumphs instead of our troubles.

5. Our home instead of our house.