Persistence
“So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened” Luke 11:9,10 (AMP).
Persistence is important in all areas of life but no where more important than in prayer. Jesus told of a man who knocked at his friend’s door late at night. He needed bread to feed a late visitor. The friend tucked in for the night refused to get up. The man knocking wouldn’t to take “no” for an answer. It was his “keep on knocking” characteristic that caused the sleepy man to get out of bed and give his neighbor bread.
In Barnes’ commentary, he writes, “If the thing (we ask for) is for our good, and if it is proper that it should be granted . . . let us inquire whether God has promised such a blessing, and then let us persevere (in prayer) until God gives it.”
Too often we pray a few times for a promised blessing and then give up. After praying for the infilling of the Spirit a few times, a man concluded, “Well, God knows where I live and if He wants to fill me with His Spirit, I’m available.” If our employer forgot to pay us, would we not make phone calls and visit his office continually until he cut us a check? We wouldn’t leave money that rightfully belonged to us unclaimed.
Jesus, the giver of many unclaimed gifts, has planned to give them to the preserving. Are you continually knocking and asking for God’s good things – salvation for loved ones, the power of the Holy Spirit, guidance, wisdom, opportunities to witness, employment and so much more – if you are, keep on. If you’ve given up in despair, grab the doorknocker of Heaven again.
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!” Luke 18:1-5 NIV.
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence
Talent will not –
Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent
Genius will not –
Unrewarded genius is frequently found
Education will not –
The world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence alone is unbeatable. (author unknown)
Prayer:
Lord, thanks for the reminder to persist in asking for your blessings. Please give me Your strength and courage to keep knocking on Your door.
Rose McCormick Brandon writes personal experience essays, Bible studies, news articles, profiles and devotionals from her home in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada.
