Luke 18:1-8
18: And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Reflection
Jesus tells a story to help us understand God’s generous heart toward us. If even an unrighteous judge will eventually help persistent people, how much more will our Father respond to our requests for his help? He will not delay to bring justice to his own people (Luke 18:7).
We need to hear this because our frailty and brokenness make us lose heart and cease to believe that God is on our side (v. 1). Our perspective is limited and our vision is clouded (1 Cor. 13:12). The Bible continually reminds us that God is truly for us because we belong to Jesus (see Rom. 8:31–33). We need this constant reminder of God’s kind heart and great power toward us as we fight against our unbelief. We are now his! He is our strongest supporter. He delights to care for us and to defend us.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
4: Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
Reflection
Having referred to the Thessalonians as “saints” at the end of chapter 3, Paul urges them to walk as saints in chapter 4. This is Paul’s common method of discipling believers: remind them of who they are in Christ and urge them to walk accordingly (Gal. 5:25; Eph. 2:10; 5:8; Col. 2:6). In this sense, not only does the gospel announce God’s gracious blessings for sinners, but it is also intended to transform our daily lives.
Therefore, Paul urges the Thessalonians to live out their true identity as saints: they are not to grow weary but to continue to walk with God and seek to please him more and more (1 Thess. 4:1), to abstain from sexual immorality (vv. 3–6), to learn how to control their bodies in holiness and honor (v. 4), and to walk properly before outsiders (v. 12). The motivating reason Paul gives the Thessalonians for their new lifestyle is God’s gracious calling (v. 7; cf. Eph. 1:4). God’s own great love for us teaches us to love one another (1 Thess. 4:9), which demonstrates to the world that we are followers of Jesus Christ (John 13:35; cf. Eph. 5:1–2). His great grace toward us creates in us a desire to want to please him, honor him, and share his love with others.
Psalm 33:20-22
20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Don’t lose heart if it seems that God is delaying. Ask him for comfort as you wait for him to move, and continue to bring your requests to him, knowing that your heavenly Father deeply cares for you (Luke 18:1–8).