DO NOT GIVE UP

RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN




Watering the Garden

DO NOT GIVE UP



The following two parables given by Jesus encourage us not to give up, but to keep praying. He first uses the example of a neighbor who doesn’t want to be bothered, but because of the friend’s persistence, and a sense of shame, he gives the friend what he needs.



In the second parable, which encourages persistence, Jesus speaks of a widowed lady who is asking a judge to avenge her against an enemy; much in the same manner we ask God to make things right, when we have been wronged by a particular situation or person. We see the judge in this circumstance was not even a believer. Jesus gives us confidence that God will quickly make things right for us. Jesus then questions whether or not he will find faith on the earth when he returns, emphasizing the importance of faith, especially in the end times.



Scripture:

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (*sense of shame) he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, And it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:5-10) (*Strong's Concordance)



And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We have learned to be persistent in our prayers and not to give up.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan