Skip to content

Daily Devotional

Daily Devotional

A Ministry of the Kerwin Baptist Church

July 23, 2019

July 18, 2019 by Pastor Hawtree

Luke 18:1-5

18 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

Chapter 17 of Luke ends with Jesus talking to his disciples about the second coming. Chapter 18 seems to start with Jesus teaching that we still have a purpose here on this earth before he comes back. Jesus makes a pretty obvious statement here that all of us would agree with, but how many of us actually do it? He said that “Men (all of God’s people) ought always to pray.” Pretty simple thought, but answer this question, How is your prayer life? When is the last time you had a prayer answered? I hope you answered my prayer life is awesome, couldn’t be any better. For some of us I think we resonate more with the second part of this statement. Jesus said “Men ought always to pray, and not faint. That word faint means “to lose heart, be weak, exhausted, be wearied out.” That sure does describe me sometimes. I feel like as God’s child I always complain, I always fear, I always doubt and the list could go on. But I’m not sure I always pray, if I can just be honest with you.
I believe Jesus gives us some principles here, and He shows us what a non praying person looks like in the following verses.
Failing to pray creates
#1. A lack of reverence toward God (vs 2) the verse tells us that a person who doesn’t pray doesn’t fear God, that means this person is not in awe of God, they take no thought of God. Don’t acknowledge God in their decisions, in their relationships, in their business dealings. How many of us are guilty of waking up, going through our routine, and never really taking notice of, or spending time with the Lord?

#2. A lack of regard toward people (vs 2) it’s a natural progression, if you stop having a heart for God, you won’t have a heart toward people. Christians have developed a bad name over the years because we talk about how loving our God is (and He is) but we never show that love to other people. Often times we show judgment, or some other self righteous attitude, but do we show love? How would our impact for Jesus change if love was our default reaction in every situation?

A. A lack of prayer produces a lack of service (vs 3-4) this judge had the power to do something about this ladies situation, he had the ability to step in and change her circumstance, but he blatantly chose not to. God help us to be the kind of people that help, and serve others when we have the means to do so.

B. A lack of prayer produces a lack of sufferance (or tolerance) (vs 5) this judge finally does help this widow woman, but it isn’t because he cares about her, it’s so she’ll stop bugging him. Throughout scripture we are taught that God is long suffering toward us, and I think he expects the same out of His children.

Jesus taught His disciples this lesson, that men ought always to pray, and not faint. Jesus is coming back just like chapter 17 says, but what are we supposed to be doing in the meantime? I believe it’s love and serve God and love and serve people with every breath we have, after all Jesus said that was the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) but I believe we only accomplish that if our prayer life truly is what it should be. I’d like to end with this beautiful passage from Paul on how to love each other.
Romans 12:9-13
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Frank Newsome

Post navigation

Previous Post:

July 22, 2019

Next Post:

July 24, 2019

Recent Posts

  • December 31, 2020
  • December 30, 2020
  • December 29, 2020
  • December 25, 2020
  • December 24, 2020

Archives

  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
March 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Dec    
* indicates required
© 2021 Daily Devotional | WordPress Theme by Superbthemes