Today's Reading:
Esther 3,4,5,6,7,8; Luke 18
Scripture
And he told them a parable to the effect that they thought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, “Give me justice against my adversary.’ For while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 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 Ma comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)
Observation
The scriptures are so true that praying without ceasing is so providential in exampling our faith in God and having the faith that it is in His faithful hands. Whatever the outcome, we know that committing our prayers to the Lord with the intent that His will be done; we will realize what God’s will and the answer will be. However, unlike the situation with the unrighteous judge, we can be confident that God hears us the first time we pray. Our subsequent prayers can be similar for the same purpose, but with the heart that we are waiting on the answer in His time and for His purpose. In the eighth verse, the key is of the prayer process is stated in the words “will He find faith on earth.”
Application
An example of God’s faithfulness transpired this past week. As a church, we have been experiencing challenging economic times like most churches, companies, and organizations in Hawaii, the nation, and the world, due to the pandemic. Thus, recently, with the decrease in tithes and offerings, the church’s income has been less than its expenses.
We’ve made some cuts as we have been able. However, I’ve been praying without continuously for the Lord to provide the financial resources for New Hope Oahu, even acknowledging that everyone has seen a decrease in income and financial resources. Yet, I continued to pray with faith in the Lord, He has always provided for New Hope Oahu in all ways. Last Wednesday morning as I prayed, I had a peace about our finances. In fact, my wife Lanu mentioned, “John, God’s got this.” It was that afternoon that a church member called to drop off his tithe for His company. The tithe was in the amount rarely seeing, more than covering the recent week’s gap. I knew instantly that it was God answering my/our prayer that He would provide for our financial needs.
Prayer
Dear Lord, there is such a propensity for me to stress, worry, try to take matters into my own hands in many areas of my life. I thank you for reminding me that we are called to give you our lives and our needs with the intent that your will be done. I thank you for your provision for New Hope Oahu in our financial needs and answering my/our prayers in such a manner that there is no possibility of coincidence, but instead, your confirmation of your love and provision for your church that you love, provide for and use for your purposes.
