PARABLES OF JESUS || Don't Give Up

Pour out your heart to the Lord; give Him no rest.

Hello,

In 2021, I started a series on the Parables of Jesus on Medium, before moving to Substack in August of the same year. Recently, I have been inspired to revisit this series and I believe that it is an opportunity to relearn and learn new things from God.

If you wish to read previous posts on Parables of Jesus, please click here

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Persistence is an element that is necessary in our dealings with God. Jesus Christ elucidated its importance in His Parable about the Importunate Widow.

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, KJV

The concept of persistence is not new as Scripture speaks of great men and women who brought their struggles and needs to God, and refused to relent until their requests were granted. Notable examples include:

• Abraham, who interceded for righteous souls in Sodom. Genesis 18:16-33

• Jacob, who wrestled with God and prevailed. Genesis 32:22-32

• Hannah, who was barren. 1 Samuel 1

• Jabez, whose name meant sorrow. 1 Chronicles 4:9

• Elijah, who prayed for the restoration of rain. 1 Kings 18:41-46

Offer Fervent Prayers

“Fervent” is derived from the Greek word, energeō (pronounced en-erg-eh'-o), which “energy” also stems from. It suggests sincerity and steadiness of zeal towards a cause, and shows a continuous, determined pursuit of something.

The book of James encourages us to offer earnest, heartfelt prayers to God who is able to do all things, according to His awesome power and grace.

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. chp.5, vv.16-18

Christ has inputted upon all believers His righteousness which allows us approach the Mercy Seat every time. God wants us to desire, see and seek Him for answers to our supplications. He wants us to come to Him in childlike trust, genuineness and consistency.

The Just Judge

The Godhead is not like the judge who was unjust in this parable. Scripture tells of His just nature as seen in Psalm 45 for example.

You are the most handsome of all.

Gracious words stream from your lips. God Himself has blessed You forever.

Put on Your sword, O mighty warrior! You are so glorious, so majestic!

In Your majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice.

Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!

Your arrows are sharp, piercing Your enemies’ hearts. The nations fall beneath Your feet.

Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a sceptre of justice.

You love justice and hate evil.

vv. 2-7, NLT

Trust that even when you lay your petitions before God’s altar, He will grant what He knows is good for you. No human can rightly tell what is genuinely best for them every time and sometimes, we end up praying amiss God’s will. Yet, God who calls us to freely ask, will carefully judge our desires and grant to His children, all that is pure and befitting.

Give Him No Rest

Isaiah 62 is a beautiful passage that shows God’s commitment to ensuring every promise He has made to His own, gets fulfilled to the glory of His name. The first seven (7) verses read thus:

For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,

Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns.

The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory.

You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name.

You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord,

And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

You shall no longer be termed Forsaken,

Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate;

But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah;

For the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.

For as a young man marries a virgin, So shall your sons marry you;

And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you.

I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night.

You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent,

And give Him no rest till He establishes,

And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

vv. 1-7, KJV

God’s dedication to His children is so deep and hard to fully comprehend. Even when we err and stray, He remains unchanging. He has pledged to vindicate His chosen people at every circumstance. We must not slack nor give Him rest. We must wait on Him continuously.

Will Your Faith Be Found?

In the previous chapter, Jesus Christ talked about His Second Coming and how His disciples would long to see a day of His return. After warning them about what to expect in such times, He began Luke 18 with an emphasis on the need to pray always, and ended the story with a poignant question.

Even though the Parable of the Importunate Widow can be applied to our current lives on earth, it also reflects the necessity to not give up before His return. God knows what is likely to occur when our efforts don’t yield immediate results — we often get downcast, discouraged and dampened in our souls. Sadly, these negative emotions sometimes stir people away from the faith when not handled properly through the lens of Scripture. Men become doubtful, and deceived through the lies that the enemy tells.

He who walked this earth before you knows how tough life is. He will hold your hand when you are tired and help you continue in the journey of faith.

Hold fast to Jesus, dear friend. Trust Him and don’t draw back.

O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?

Have you never heard? Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless; even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40: 27-31, NLT

*Further Readings: Habakkuk 2:1-4, Hebrews 10:19-39