July 8, 2026
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Chronicles and Luke? Here’s today’s reading:
Luke 18 (NIV)
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’…..Continue Reading
If an unjust judge will acquiesce to a request even though his motives are wrong, how much more so will a just God with the best of motivations give good things to His people who ask, particularly providing justice for them. And it is the one who recognizes their sinfulness before God that gains access not the one who thinks they are righteous enough to gain access on their own. This kind of faith is consistent with the simplicity of faith that is like a child’s. We really do need to come to God with that kind of humility and that kind of faith. The rich young ruler could use that lesson as well. It is not like God is against wealth, but it was the stumbling block for this man, probably thinking on some level that his riches validated God’s hand on his life. The only thing that can bring salvation is what Jesus forewarns His disciples of….He will be handed over and die to make salvation possible. And that is true sight, but Jesus can miraculously bring physical sight as well. And I just love how Jesus cares for those others discard and how this man perseveres in faith and asking even though people tell him to be quiet. It is like the parable the chapter begins with…
Luke 18
This chapter made me think about all the stumbling blocks to our faith. Not just the sins He warns of like stealing, adultery, murder, but also things like pride and possessions become stumbling blocks. These things can leave us as blind as the man at the end of the chapter. Blind because we can convince ourselves that they are not coming between us and God. We see the obvious need for money and possesions but when is it no longer a need and has become a want we are pursuing with more vigor than God. Pride sneaks in the same way, often even masked as insecurities, fears, worries that is really just us not trusting God and having the faith that can open up our eyes and give us sight. Children just trust those that care for them, children are content with what they are given, and then children obey out of grattitude for their protection…it is a great picture for Jesus to provide us about what our own faith should look like without all the other stuff getting in the way.
Great insights, Kelly.
Luke 18
Psalm 135; Daniel 11; Luke 18
For years and decades I prayed for the peace of God Philippians 4. Had quite the opposite. Until finally the peace of God after asking for decades. Persistent prayer payed off. I Believe one reason is that it teaches us to continue to come before God whether things are good or bad. It gets us into a pattern where it becomes natural to pray as to breathe. Still can relate to the tax collector. I am so unworthy to come anywhere near the throne of God. As Isaiah. Said. Woe is me!!! Before God.
Luke 18
I reference this parable of the persistent widow often. When I think about justice in particular in this world. I am encouraged that He says that God is a just Judge and that He hears us crying out and will answer “speedily”. It doesn’t always feel speedy, but the message is to “pray and not lose heart.”
“And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?””
Luke 18:7-8 NKJV
Your faith can heal you! Always pray and do not give up. God will bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night. He will see to it, and quickly. Have joy, the Son of God will take us home one day! And we have the blessed hope that it will surely happen.
Luke 18