Happy Sunday, Fam. Just jumping into it, today I am talking about receiving. I actually struggled for a few seconds on naming this post with receiving in the title. It’s crazy that sometimes receiving can seem like such a dirty word, as we’re constantly told to go after the heart of God and not His hand. I 100% agree, but everything we have, including the privilege to seek Him, has been given. How sad would it be if we rejected what God wants to give to appear Holy? So for the next 3 to 4 weeks, I will share what I believe are principles of receiving. The basis of it all will comes from Luke 18 in case you want to study on your own before meeting me here. If you’re offended, BE FREE – RECEIVE IT, haha. If the conversation of receiving from the Lord feels a little awkward or bitter to you, I hope the next few weeks will open your mind.
There is a parable in Luke 18 that speaks of a lady going to an unrighteous judge demanding, “Give me justice and legal protection from my adversary.” She didn’t receive it at first, but she persisted and received it, eventually. The judge’s words were literally, “This widow continues to bother me, I will give her legal protection; otherwise, by continually coming, she will wear me out.” I want to point out 3 things in this text that really encouraged me concerning receiving from God through prayer: the widow, the judge, and the need.
The Widow. The woman is called “a widow”; she isn’t given a name. It doesn’t describe her attributes or features. No detail is given on her past or who her husband was. She is simply a widow. In that time period, a widow was left to fend for herself. Women had little to no rights. Her need, as basic as a place of shelter, was in jeopardy. Though the text literally calls her desperate, her widow status expresses the extent of her desperation. The judge was her only hope. She had no family or resources to support her in this personal matter. As believers, we must realize that everything we put our faith in as a source can and will leave us widowed. In prayer, we posture ourselves just as this woman. Jesus, we are desperate, and you are our only hope. You, God, are the source.
The Judge. The judge was unjust and had no respect for men, but our Judge is righteous. The judge saw the widow as a bother and someone wearing him out. Our judge sees us a son or daughter and tells us to come boldly before his throne. There were times I didn’t pray because I felt God had more important matters. Or I wasn’t deserving. God doesn’t see our issues as minuscule, and I was never deserving, to begin with, but he still chooses me. He doesn’t groan in frustration when he hears us call him – he listens. Jeremiah 29:12-13 say, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Make prayer a practice, outside of your need and in the middle of your need. You are not a bother to the Lord.
The Need. In the text, the woman wanted justice and protection from her adversary, which seems fair. The unrighteous judge ignored her basic and urgent need until he gave in. I love that the text says, “And will not [our just] God defend and His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night?” It should go without saying but must be said. There is no need that you have that God will not meet. He is committed to taking care of you against the acts of enemy or life. It may not always be exactly how or what we wanted, but He is God, a Judge, who rules in favor of your need. Just as the widow with a desperate heart and persistence, we must press until the Judge gives His final verdict. You need 2 things to do this effective faith and consistency. First, do you have the faith to believe that God hears you and will answer you? Second, are you persistent enough not to give in?
We experience wonder and war all in the place of prayer. It is so important that we live day in and day out in the place of prayer. This text calls us the elect, His chosen ones. We must live as His elect by faith, crying out to Him day and night. Do you have a need? It can be physical, financial, or spiritual. I urge you to go to the Lord concerning this need consistently. Ask Him, specify to Him, and wait for His verdict. Live in the expectation that your father wants your needs meet. Understand that He is your hope and source.
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