Be PERSISTENT in Faith!!!

“However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8b AMP)

My grandson, Danyal, has a habit of grabbing my arm or hand and escorting me to whatever it is that he wants. Although he’s able to say a few words most of the times his words are accompanied by some kind of tugging or pulling action. Yesterday, I was trying to get some work done and here comes Danyal. He called my name and started pulling on my arm to come and get something from under the couch. Yanking my arm back I told him that I would come and look in a minute. Well, Danyal was not having it. He kept grabbing my arms and saying, “Grandma, my car-truck!” As much as I tried to ignore him I couldn’t. His persistent pulling, grabbing and talking made me want to strangle him (lol). Of course, I didn’t, but I DID finally stop what I was doing, got up, and went to the couch.

I knelt down and looked under the couch and did not see anything. I looked up at him and said, “Danyal, there’s no car-trucks under the couch.” I then got up and went back to what I was doing. Well, Danyal fell out crying (which I ignored) and eventually came back over to me and begin to pull and grab my arm again. With tears streaming down his face he said to me, “Grandma, my car-truck!” while pointing to the couch. I bantered back and forth with Danyal for a short time trying to convince him that there was nothing under the couch. Again, he wasn’t having it.

Eventually, I gave in to his PERSISTENT pulling, grabbing and talking and went back to the couch. Again, I knelt down next to the couch, looked under it, and didn’t see anything. I straightened up, looked Danyal in the eye and said, “Danyal, there’s nothing under the couch.” He looked back at me, as if my words had no meaning, and said, “Grandma, my car-truck!” and pointed at the couch. Reluctantly I looked under the couch again, but this time I looked more closely. And lo and behold, all the way at the back end of the couch I could see a glimpse of some teeny tiny wheels. Danyal was right. His car-truck was under the couch. I grabbed a wooden spoon and slid it under the couch until the car-truck was visible. I grabbed it and gave it to him and boy, was he a happy camper. He went on to play with his car-truck and I went on to finish my business….in peace.

I had to laugh when it was all said and done. I chuckled to myself as I thought, “This boy is PERSISTENT. He wasn’t going to give up until I got his car-truck from under the couch.” I begin to laugh out loud because I knew at that moment that the Lord was using Danyal to speak to my heart. Our Father knows us better than we know ourselves. And He knew that there was some things taking place in my attitude and spirit that He needed to deal with quickly.

My husband and I had recently received some not-so-good news and it the issue seemed totally out of our control. This issue was heavy on my heart, even in the midst of all of the birthday preparation and celebrations, and even the fulfilling dance responsibilities. I was not speaking of them much, but they were definitely in my spirit. And In order to deal with the stress of it all at some point (unconsciously) I had begun to take on the Que Sera Sera attitude: Whatever will be, will be.

Now If you’re a regular reader to my blog you know that I think “whatever” is from hell. It’s not a stance, it’s a cop out. And if you’re copping out than you are not standing in faith (at least that's how I feel about it). Many of us hide behind “whatever” because we’d rather not take a stand than to take one and risk being disappointed.  When we say, “whatever”, we’re saying (in essence), we don’t trust that God will come through for us. Think about that. How insulting is it to say to the God of the universe "whatever"?! When that reality hit me my heart and lips repented to the Lord because I was doing just that: heading down that road of faithlessness. (Thank GOD for the Holy Spirit and His love for us.)

The persistence of Danyal was the Holy Spirit’s way of reminding me to continue to press in to prayer for the things that are in concerning my heart. He was reminding me not to become complacent in my thoughts and prayers, embracing the Que Sera Sera attitude, but rather to be diligent and PERSISTENT in prayer to the Father, trusting that He loves me and that He will answer me in due season.

The Holy Spirit reminded led me to read the parable of the persistent widower (Luke 18:1-8). In this parable the widower had suffered an injustice by someone and she relentlessly pleaded with the judge, day after day, to do something about it. This judge, whom the word of God says, neither feared God nor man, didn’t readily respond to her. (And why would he? He has no respect for God or man). Yet, because of this widow’s PERSISTENCE (vs 4-5) this ornery, obstinate judge felt that he must respond, if only for the purpose of getting her to leave him alone.

“Then the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says! 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.” (Luke 18:7-8 AMP)

Jesus shares this parable with His disciples to show them that PERSISTENCE pays off. He encouraged the disciples to continually ask of the Father for what we need and desire. Jesus specifically points out that this was a heathen, ungodly judge who's regard for anyone else, let alone God, was none existent, and yet he responded to the PERSISTENCE of the widower. How much more would His Father, our Father, respond to us: “And shall God not avenge His own elect [you and me] who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?” (Luke 18:7 AMP).

This was a word for me if it wasn’t for anyone else. Some of the situations and issues that my husband and I are facing right now are the result of an “injustice.” And we have been praying about it for almost eight months now. We have had moments of victory, but countless moments of disappointments. (Thank God the battle is not over.) My heart had been so heavy over the matters that I was finding myself transitioning from the “our God is able” to the “whatever” attitude that I spoke of earlier. Telling myself to that, “I’m just trusting God” (laughing at myself).....but was I really trusting?! NO! I was copping out, if only just for a moment. 

Praise God for the Holy Spirit who brings us into all TRUTH. And the truth was that I was slowly letting go of my faith because I didn’t want to be disappointed again. This is not the way a child of the King should live. Danyal bugging me was the Father’s way of reminding me to take my stance in the spirit (as I KNOW to do). Reminding me to be the Battle Axe He’s called me to be. Reminding me to be diligent, tenacious, and PERSISTENT in prayer before Him concerning this issue. He was letting ME know that He WILL respond: “….though He bears long with them…I tell you that He will AVENGE them SPEEDILY” (Luke 18:7-8 NKJV). HALLELUJAH!!!  This sister is DANCING right now….Oh, how He loves you and me.

I don’t know what you’re dealing with in your life right now. You may be facing marriage issues, financial issues, family issues, or other pressing things. I’m praying that you will grab hold to this word today.  Continue to be PERSISTENT in your prayers toward Him. HE does hear you and He WILL respond. I pray that you will take a stand in the spirit today against the injustices that the enemy has sent your way. Know that Father God is your avenger and that you are His, the elect (vs 7), and He will answer.

Father, I pray for your people today. I pray that you would give us the courage to stand in the midst of injustice. Father I pray that you will give us a heart to pray, consistently and persistently, toward you. I pray that you will continue to strengthen our faith and that we will learn more each day to trust you. Father, remind us, through the little things, that you have not forgotten us. Remind us to be as my grandson, Danyal, to keep at it until we see your hand move. I love you today, Lord…in Jesus name. Amen.

“Also [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up). (Luke 18:1 AMP)

My Love Song to HIM! Dorothy C.