03-16-03 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church


Luke 18:1~8 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?

Faith requires that we be patient and persistent. Faith requires us to accept and embrace God's timetable while setting aside our own. If my prayers are answered with a "No," usually I kick the dirt and wonder what I'm doing wrong. If He answers my prayer with a "Yes," usually I get puffed up, and before long, something sharp comes along and lets out all the air. It's hard to explain, but my favorite answer to prayer is when God says, "Wait." It's then that I begin to realize He's suffering alongside me, and I'm comforted because He's working everything out according to His timetable. Then all I have to do is quit worrying about it, continue praying about it, allow Him to work on it, and just watch His glory unfold.