Pause

Staying after it. Not giving up. Being stubborn.

Persistence. It's hard to say just where this characteristic comes from, but in the life of faith we can say that, when we do not give up on matters of righteousness, persistence has its source in God.

That is because there is none so persistent, so faithful as this One we follow. Make it your intent, just in these next few moments, to be focused on listening for God.

Listen

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Luke 18:6-8

Think

“Life isn’t fair.” How many times have you said that? God knows, I’ve said these words often throughout my life.

The fact is no matter your age, from 9 to 90, you will always experience moments in which unfair things happen. Many people believe that because bad things happen, like earthquakes that kill hundreds of people or shootings at middle schools, there cannot be a God, or at least not a God like the one Christians believe exist. How could God exist and allow people to die in such tragic, unexpected ways?

I don’t know the answers. I don’t believe anyone does. But I do know that we are told to cry out. Cry out for the innocent people who suffer. Cry out for ourselves when we feel injustice has been done to us. And have faith that the Son of Man, Jesus, is making a way for all of us to receive fairness and justice, if not now in this very moment, then at least in the future to come.

Patrick Kangrga

Pray

God, I know life isn’t fair, and that doesn’t make sense to me. I believe that you are good and want the best for all people. I believe that you will give to us the good things you have promised us. Give me wisdom to cry out on behalf of those treated unjustly and give me the faith to wait for the day when your justice will be shown to us all. Amen.

Go

Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forevermore, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25 (The Contemporary English Version)