“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart.” (Luke 18:1 NASB)
Don’t Stop Believin’
Journey’s classic “Don’t Stop Believing” is one of those songs that never dies. The catchy tune, beautiful singing, and basic choral message overcome some pretty seedy lyrics – and three successive generations know the song by heart. Yet the message is horrifically shallow, at least when compared to Jesus’ even more famous song, His parable of the unjust judge.
While Journey calls one to keep believing because of vague emotion (“hold on to the feeling”), Jesus guides us to something much more significant – the character of God. He asks:
“Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8 ESV)
Here is something much more solid than a feeling – and far more worthy of our continued belief. We should sing, “Don’t stop believing; hold on to the truths of God’s promises.” OK, so my summary lyrics need work. Please write me with your ideas.
Love Counsels With Wisdom
Thinking on this parable and 2 Peter 3:8-9, the old Scottish preacher Alexander Bruce was stirred to write about God’s movement and timing:
“Delay is not incompatible with grace. It is simply the result of love taking counsel with wisdom, so that the very end aimed at may not be frustrated by too great haste to attain it. Men must be prepared for receiving and appreciating the benefit God means to bestow on them, and delay is an important element in the discipline necessary for that purpose. The child cannot at once enter on its inheritance; it must be under tutors and governors in order that it may at length enjoy and rightly use the freedom to which it is destined.”
Other Scripture
Finally, my pulpit team partner Randall sent this note. “Wayne, here is a slew of other passages which came to mind based on the ideas in the parable and your notes.”
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living!
Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!
(David, Psalm 27:14)
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
the salvation of my face, and my God.
(Psalm 42:5, 42:11, 43:5)
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. . . .
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
(David, Psalm 62:1,2,5)
Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.
(Psalm 107:43)
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Paul, Philippians 4:5b-7)