09/21/2018
Do you weep in your prayer closet and ask for a certain thing day, after day, after day? Does your heart break in the midst of your supplication, and yet you have faith in God to answer... are your prayers lifted up yet again, and the tears run down your face once more? Do those around you say “stop praying, it isn’t going to happen”, but you continue to cling to hope, and trust in God? This is what Jesus taught us to do. This is the evidence of faith.
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"”
Luke 18:1, 7-8 ESV
I take heart in this parable, and it renews my faith. The final question regarding whether Jesus will find faith in the earth upon His return confirms my course, and gives me further determination that if all the world is lost to sin and Satan... I will be left holding onto my faith in Him, and this one prayer... that my child will come to Him.
There I nothing more distressing to one’s soul than a child that is lost, and no prayer that is prayed by a parent, a believer, that is lifted up with such steadfast fervency. To make this point, remember the parable of the prodigal son who took his inheritance, left home, squandered his money, and then came home to a father that loved him, and welcomed him? It is a well-known story, but perhaps you missed one subtlety in it... let’s read this verse...
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Luke 15:20 ESV
You might have read past a major revelation in this verse; it is subtle and yet powerful “while he was still a long way off, his father saw him.” Why did his father see him far off in the distance? He saw him because he was watching the road, day after day, and more than likely praying for his safe return. We wait upon our prayers in faith, and when, in answer to their repetition they are granted, we rejoice and give thanks. We don’t just hug, or laugh, we celebrate wildly... we kill the fatted calf and invite all our friends to join us in celebrating.
“But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.”
Luke 15:22-24 ESV
This past week I was telling someone about the faith of my mother’s side of the family. I told them of an uncle that had wandered away from Jesus, and who had stopped going to church. I told them of a day when every phone in the family lit up... all across America... because he had returned to church and gone to the altar to reaffirm his faith. Joyous voices, and great celebration with everyone being called to join in! The prodigal son had returned, and prayers were answered.
So our perseverance in faith will be rewarded. This is why I sit in my prayer closet praying day after day for the souls of my children and family, and this is why my face is turned towards the sky as I await the return of Jesus Christ... I look expectantly with faith... trust... and love. I am looking far off for any sign of coming, and every movement on the distant horizon is met with a rising excitement in me! Do you hold to prayers that others might count as lost? How is the state of your trust and faith in God’s Word today? Is the returning echo of your prayer from the distant mountain renewed each day? Are you certain that the day will come when a child, or Jesus Himself will return with it? Faith, Trust, Love, and Confidence in God’s Word.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing my prayers, and thank you for the answer that you promised through Your Son. I lift up my prayers each day to you, and many are familiar to us because I have repeated them so often, but Holy Father I know this is how your Son taught me to pray, and that in the perfect time you will reward me with what I have been faithful in asking for. Hear my prayer today Merciful Father, and let me see your answer as it is coming from far off in the distance. Sing my heart for my God has promised to fulfill my desires as I pray in the name of Jesus. Help me in my faith, and in my unbelief... even in the midst of my prayers. Let my soul rejoice in you as I lift up once more the object of your promise, and the foundation and proof of my faith. Gracious Father I look to your mountain in expectation, and my ears strain to hear more than the echo of my own voice, but the real singing of my heart’s desire returning to me. You are great Father, and your Word is true. All creation sings of you, and in the midst of its song I hear your voice granting my prayer. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God of answered prayer. Praised be your name even as I wait on you, even in the midst of my tears, even when I see hope move in the distance, even when I rejoice, and even amidst the celebration of thanksgiving for your faithful provision. Hear my prayers Father, and Lord Jesus, as you return, find my faith alive and waiting for you.
Rich Forbes