Today’s Bible Verse

I tell you that He will defend and avenge them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?

Luke 18:8 (AMP)

Persistent, Overcoming Faith

In Luke 18, Jesus shares a parable about an unjust judge who refused to hear a widow’s case; however, in the end, he avenged her because of her persistence.  Jesus went on to explain, “Did you hear what the ungodly judge said—that he would answer her because of her persistence? Don’t you know that God, the true judge, will grant justice to all of his chosen ones who cry out to him night and day? He will pour out his Spirit upon them.  He will not delay to answer you and give you what you ask for” (Luke 18:6-7 TPT).  

God isn’t withholding His grace, favor, or mercy.  He is not wanting us to beg Him for deliverance.  No!  That is not why we need persistence.  God has already given us the victory through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Perseverance is required because the adversary, the accuser of the brethren, tirelessly works to frustrate the Grace of God that is available to every believer.  Satan’s objective is to steal, kill, and destroy, and he aggressively works to do just that: steal, kill and destroy.

I’ve heard people say, when going through various trials, persecution, or a bad report or difficult time, “God is trying to teach me something,” or “God allowed this sickness to make me stronger.”  I’d like to clarify, the enemy doesn’t ask God for permission to torment people; he just does it.  Also, God is not the one who brings sickness or disease, nor does He inflict people with fear and torment.  It’s the adversary who inflicts people and brings sickness and disease.  

However, during the enemy’s attacks, we disciples are exhorted to stand strong in faith, be persistent, and persevere in faith.  As we persevere in faith, our faith in the Word is strengthened, and God works miraculously on our behalf when we stand strong in faith.

Faith is complete trust and total confidence in the Word of God, believing God’s Word over any report, symptom, or circumstance—no matter what!  Many circumstances are going on today that could cause someone to question their faith: “But God, why did I receive a report of cancer if I stood on your word that I am whole and complete?”  Or, “Lord, how could my loved one test positive for covid if I continuously stood on Your Word and declared over them, ‘Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence’?”  

Regardless of the adversary’s attacks, reports, and circumstances, God’s Word is still true! The report may have been cancer; but faith is fixed on God’s Word, and says:  “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (sickness and disease)” and “By His stripes, we are healed.”  Faith paints a picture of the manifested promises God has given us in His Word; this is where we must be persistent in our Faith to see it come to fruition. 

Throughout the New Testament, the Word speaks about persistent faith.  Hebrews 10:38-39 says: “Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but those who believe to the saving of the soul.”  

Wow, the Word literally says God has no pleasure in those that drawback (doubt and disbelief in God’s Word).  The exhortation to be persistent in faith is because God knew there would be many persecutions, trials, and offenses that would come (the enemy is called our enemy because he is against us), but Faith says: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5:4). (Rachel Wela)

Change My Story

In the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, Jesus spoke to the seven churches (Ephesus-loveless church; Smyrna-persecuted church; Pergamos-compromising church; Thyatira-corrupt church; Sardis-dead church; Philadelphia-faithful church; Laodicea-lukewarm church) about their works.  He called out how they were living and called them to repent of their evil works.  At the end of each message to the seven churches, Jesus exhorts each of the seven churches to overcome.  Jesus goes on to share the rewards that are given to the ones that overcome!  An overcomer chooses God and His Word above anything else (good or bad).  An overcomer says, “I will not compromise what God’s Word says.”  An overcomer by lives the Word of God.

Being an overcomer requires a life commitment to the Word of God, no compromise!  The faith that Jesus was referring to in Luke 18 is the faith of the one who overcomes: “But My righteous one must live by faith, for if he gives up his commitment, My soul will have no pleasure in him.  My friends, we are not those who give up hope and so are lost; but we are of the company who live by faith and so are saved” (Hebrews 20:38-39 VOICE).

Today’s Declaration

Lord, I choose to live in faith. I will not give up my commitment to Your Word; I choose to be persistent in faith.  My faith is strengthened in Your Word as I seek You every day.  Holy Spirit, thank You for revealing the power of the Word.  I am an overcomer by the Blood of Jesus and by the powerful Word of His testimony!

Today’s Bible Reading

• Old Testament: Jeremiah 3-4; Ecclesiastes 2:1-16
• New Testament: John 1:19-28; James 1:12-18