7 and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’
8 “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” Luke 11:5-8.
Persistence is powerful and pays off. It is the one word theme of this Scripture.
There was no other virtue displayed. One could even argue that the person who possessed persistence was not prepared, maybe even negligent, in not having food on hand for such need. But, he was persistent and got as much as he needed.
This is not a unique message. We see the teaching of persistence repeated through Scripture persistently.
In Luke 18:1-7, we read the parable of the widow who persistently asked the unrighteous judge for legal protection from her opponent. The teaching’s conclusion is: “now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?”
Whether we are doing good or just enduring, we should not lose heart, but rather we should be persistent.
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9
“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3
In conclusion, we know that we should be persistent. How do we get such persistence? Do we just try harder? Do we just keep going longer? Is it just a matter of will-power?
The persistence that we want is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is called faithfulness. See Galatians 5:22-23.
We pray for the Holy Spirit and for the fruit of the Holy Spirit. And in tomorrow’s text, we read: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:13.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 