Persistent in Faith

 

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable about a tenacious widow who comes before a judge who, by his own admission, has “no fear of God and no respect for anyone” (Luke 18:4 NRSV).

Now this widow was relentless in her pursuit for justice and soon enough this judge gives in to her saying, “because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” (Luke 18:5 NRSV).

Then in verse 6, Jesus admonishes us to listen to what the self-righteous judge says and in conclusion tells us,

 “And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find persistence in] faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8 AMPC)

Will Jesus find you persistent in faith? Are you persistent in faith even now?

This parable is about constant prayer, but we cheat ourselves by not recognizing that this parable is also about being persistent in faith. Jesus is telling us that we are to be persistent and at the same time, that our God is persistent as well.

God is persistent in His faithfulness toward us, His elect, His chosen ones. Read verses 7 and 8 again; do you see?

God is persistent in faith even before you utter a word of prayer. Unlike the unjust judge in this parable, God’s reason for showing us justice has nothing to do with our being intolerably annoying.

We are to continuously bother God, wear Him out, assault Him through prayer, after all, it is God who insists that we “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMPC) but oftentimes we pray and still become discouraged.

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us not to allow discouragement to set in but to remain faith-filled.

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us that even when we are considered weak, we can still move mountains through perseverance in prayer and persistence in faith.

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us to be strong and determined in our resolve to see the glory of God on this side of the Kingdom.

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us that as we cry out to God, day and night, He will defend us, protect us and avenge us for He is persistent in His faithfulness toward us (see Lamentations 3:22-23).

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us that, like the widow, we are to boldly approach the Throne, confident that we will receive an answer to our prayer (see Hebrews 4:16).

Beloved, these lessons taught by Jesus, His parables, are meant to provoke our senses – morally and spiritually. This parable is no different, there is so much more to it than meets the eye and deserves more than a mere cursory glance. I encourage you to dive into Scripture, “go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets” (Luke 4:5 NET), you’ll be surprised at what you will catch.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Persistent in Faith” © November 21, 2025