When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? ~Luke 18:8

If Jesus were to return today, would He find us standing in faith or doubt?

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.

There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, 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 18:1-8 NASB

Jesus shared this parable to encourage His followers to pray and not lose heart.

Pray and Not Lose Heart

Paul encourages us to follow Christ’s lead.

Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 WEB

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people). ~Ephesians 6:18 AMPC

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. ~Philippians 4:6 AMPC

Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. ~Colossians 4:2 AMPC

These passages lead us to grow our faith and our prayer life by giving thanks, cultivating steadfastness, and refusing to quit. We can cultivate prayer by sharing our concerns with God, interceding for others, and being alert to how the Holy Spirit leads us.

Cultivate Faith

The Biblical definition of cultivate is “to grow, nurture, tend, and care for something to help it thrive and develop. Figuratively, it means to devote time and attention to developing a skill, relationship, or way of life.”¹

When we cultivate our faith, we purpose in our hearts to develop our faith with intention. We can grow our faith by reading His Word, the Bible.

So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. ~Romans 10:17 WEB

When we believe the truth of God’s Word, we strengthen our faith muscles. We become assured by God’s character and grow confident in His love for us.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ~Hebrews 11:1 NASB

We are saved from sin and condemnation through Jesus Christ alone by faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. ~Ephesians 2:8-9 WEB

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which  I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. ~Galatians 2:20

After salvation, we can cultivate our faith by trusting God to lead us.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6 AMPC

For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. ~2 Corinthians 5:7 AMPC

Live By Faith

How do we cultivate our faith? We draw near to God, knowing He is Faithful to respond by drawing near to us. We develop our faith by reading His Word and believing in Who He says He is, and through obedience and trust, we follow where He leads us.

How do we cultivate our prayer life? By sharing our hearts with Him, listening for His still small voice, and interceding for others.

Recommendations

How to Find God – Strength with Dignity

Praying for the Nations – Strength with Dignity

References

¹ Taber, Duke. What Does Cultivate Mean in the Bible? Published by Viral Believer. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from What Does Cultivate Mean in the Bible? (viralbeliever.com)

100 Bible Verses about Faith. Published by Open Bible. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from What Does the Bible Say About Faith? (openbible.info)

100 Bible Verses about Pray Always. Published by Open Bible. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from What Does the Bible Say About Pray Always? (openbible.info)

12 Bible Verses about Always Praying. Published by Knowing Jesus. Retrieved January 24, 2024, from 12 Bible verses about Always Praying (knowing-jesus.com)

Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.

New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked

Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway