It is so important that we remember to pray always and not to give in to our own fleshly lusts. For if we remember not God on a daily and even hourly basis, we will so easily give in to the temptations of the evil one and do things that we know are sinful, but still partake in them. This is because we are now vulnerable to the things of the devil and do not have any armor to fight against him. And to put this into perspective, Jesus said the following, “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.” (Luke 18:1-5) So we learn that God’s heart for mankind is that we are always in prayer. This way we will not be found with the wicked. Even with people who don’t fear God who have positions in the senate and congress in our nation. The same can be said for judges in our own states that are likely to be swayed by what people say than what God says, as we just learned here. If this judge was God-fearing then the outcome of this widow would have ended differently.
As for God’s elect who pray often. Jesus said, “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? And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.” (Luke 18:6-9) Here we learn that avenge means bring about justice or rendering a just decision when it comes to God’s chosen people. And why is it that we have God on our side come judgment day? It is because we were found to cry out day and night to the Lord, our God, in prayer. God’s elect are not conformed to the things of this world but are likened unto Jesus and His characteristics. That is why we are called Christians, which means, “little Christlike people”. Therefore, to say we are a Christian means that we desire to live as Jesus lived. Now, when it comes to His elect, He will grant justice unto them quickly. His mercy is not delayed but is for them who don’t just honor Him with their lips, but with their actions also. And as Jesus said, I will also ask, “when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) This is an important question that Jesus is asking about you and me. He desires that we are found in His good grace when He returns.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that my mind and others will remain fixed upon You throughout the day. Help us to not give in to our fleshly desires, but to be more and more conformed by Your perfect will. I admit that today I was found thinking about things that I shouldn’t, and I am so sorry. To these evil thoughts, I ask that You will forgive me. Take every evil thought captive, oh Lord. Don’t allow me to be a victim of Satan’s evil plans. I do not wish to have Him take over my thoughts again but to have pure thoughts run constantly through my mind. I am without guilt and shame when I am here listening to You and not giving in to the flesh. But guilt and shame constantly build up when I fall into sin. Even does the devil want me to believe that there is no more forgiveness for me. That I have strayed too many times to be forgiven. Therefore, I ought to continue in what I am doing, for there is no more forgiveness for me anyway. Wow! I can’t believe I was once tricked into believing this. Even, for many years did I believe this when I was addicted to pornography. My life had no meaning then. I had no more motivation to carry on. This was until I finally cried out to You in all my confessions. You didn’t leave me comfortless but had mercy for my soul. Thank You, Jesus. It is my prayer that people will also cry out to You. May they no longer be tricked by the enemy, like I was, into thinking that they are too far gone from being saved. I rebuke Satan for these lies. I believe in You, Jesus. I love You. Amen.
