Our Daily Bread Devotional for 16th August 2023, Wednesday ODB Devotional Message written by Patricia Raybon and ODB Devotional Insight written by Bill Crowder
Today’s ODB Devotional Topic: The Power of Persistence
Bible in a Year: Psalms 94–96; Romans 15:14–33
Key Verse: Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1
Today’s Scripture: Luke 18:1–8
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.’
4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ”
6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Insight: Luke 18 is filled with stories of power. It begins with the power of the widow’s persistence (vv. 1–8), then continues with the story of the tax collector and the Pharisee (vv. 9–14), which displays the power of a humble, repentant heart. Jesus’ parable of the rich ruler (vv. 18–30) shows the negative power of possessions that can pull us away from God.
The chapter concludes with Jesus’ healing power on full display as He heals the blind beggar Bartimaeus (vv. 35–43; see Mark 10:46). These are some of Jesus’ final acts and teachings before reaching the destination in His “journey to Jerusalem” (see August 1 Insight). Then, Luke 19 opens with the story of Zacchaeus (vv. 1–10), whose redeemed heart shows the kind of generosity that the rich ruler had lacked (18:18–30) and mirrors the humility of the tax collector (vv. 9–14). Clearly these stories are intended to be read and understood together.
Our Daily Bread Devotional for 16th August 2023 MESSAGE:
In 1917, a young seamstress was thrilled to get admitted to one of New York City’s most renowned fashion design schools. But when Ann Lowe Cone arrived from Florida to register for classes, the school director told her she wasn’t welcome. “To be blunt, Mrs. Cone, we didn’t know that you were a Negro,” he said. Refusing to leave, she whispered a prayer: Please let me stay here. Seeing her persistence, the director let Ann stay, but segregated her from the whites-only classroom leaving the back door open “for [her] to hear.”
Undeniably talented, Ann still graduated six months early and attracted high-society clients including former First Lady of the United States Jacqueline Kennedy, whose world-famous wedding gown she designed. She made the gown twice, seeking God’s help after a pipe burst above her sewing studio, ruining the first dress.
Persistence like that is powerful, especially in prayer. In Jesus’ parable of the persistent widow, a widow pleads repeatedly for justice from a corrupt judge. At first, he refused her, but “because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice” (Luke 18:5).
With far more love, “will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?” (v. 7). He will, said Jesus (v. 8). As He inspires us, let’s seek to persistently pray and never give up. In His time and perfect way, God will answer.
Our Daily Bread Devotional for 16th August 2023 | Reflect & Pray
What helps you to be persistent in prayer? What request will you keep pleading?
Dear Jesus, I thank You for answering my persistent prayers.
Our Daily Bread Devotional For 16th August 2023, Wednesday ODB Message . Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. Our Daily Bread Devotional For 16th August 2023 audio our daily bread booklet.
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