"The devil would continually have us crossing streams that do not exist."
The above quote caught me off guard a few Wednesday evenings ago as I sat in church halfheartedly listening to the sermon. As I realized the truth of it, I was startled to also realize that I have been "crossing streams" that have not existed....every day of my life.
I get discouraged. I get frustrated. At times I even wonder why I do any of the things I do. Lately I've wondered "WHY do I even pray?".
"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 certain 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? -Luke 18:1-8
As I read this parable, it stood out in a way it never has before. I had never done what God says and "heard" what the unjust judge said. When I did, I realized several things.When I do not pray, when I'm crossing those imaginary streams, and building a fake thunderstorm inside myself, I....faint. I simply cannot handle it. However, when I pray, trusting in God, having faith in Him, He gives grace, strength, peace, and an answer. I also realized that I shouldn't just pray when I wake up in the morning and maybe before I fall asleep at night. I'm supposed to pray continually....all the time.
The next thing I noticed was one of God's wonderful promises. "...he will avenge them speedily..." God WILL hear ME. And He will hear me speedily. How wonderful!
The last thing I saw was, I need faith. The question is asked, "shall he find faith on the earth?". We're told in the Bible that the prayer of faith shall save the sick; that without faith it is impossible to please God. I know my faith is weak. When I look at these verses, I can only cry out humbly to God, and like the man in the New Testament, ask, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. "
Hope the parable is encouraging to you, as it is to me!
