Apr 08
Today’s Truth
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Luke 18:1
Friend to Friend
Have you ever played a game called tetherball? Not familiar? Wikipedia describes the game like this:
Tetherball (also known as swingball) is a game for two opposing players. The equipment consists of a 10 ft (3 m), stationary metal pole, from which is hung a ball from a rope, or tether.
Now, I’m no tetherball champ by any stretch of the imagination. But when I was a kid each summer I could barely wait to go to our family reunions at White Oak Park. My siblings and I knew that when we arrived there would be huge amounts of food, burlap sack races, egg tosses, water balloon fights, treasure hunts, and a killer playground that had a tetherball court!
So. Much. FUN!
We raced with all of our hearts, played hard in the blazing sun, ate way more than we should’ve, and battled on the tetherball court until we were ready to drop from exhaustion.
I want to stay connected to God like a ball tetherball is connected to its poll. Don’t you?
Whether the ball is moving or still it is connected to the poll; securely tethered by a rope.
Whether you and I are moving or still we can be connected to God, securely tethered by grace and strengthened in prayer.
The 18th chapter of Luke begins with Jesus telling his disciples a parable about a persistent widow. He told them this story to encourage them to pray continually and to not give up. (Luke 18:1) The widow, Jesus told them, wanted justice so she went to the judge and asked for favor against her adversary. The judge didn’t care much about God or justice so he brushed her off and sent her away. But she kept going back and asking for justice, so finally the judge gave in because he didn’t want her to bother him anymore.
Then Jesus explained the significance of the story to his friends:
“And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 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? 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?” (Luke 18:6-8)
Jesus encouraged his disciples to be persistent in prayer. The word tether actually means “to tie something with a rope or chain in order to restrict its movement.” I like the idea of having my life ‘restricted’ to the will of God … to be bound by His Spirit through prayer.
There’s no greater freedom. No greater power.
When we trust in Jesus, we are bound securely by His faithfulness.
God is faithfully listens to and answers the prayers of His children. Do you believe this? Even in times when you and I don’t feel like He’s listening or answering, the Bible assures us that God hears our prayers and responds to each one.
And He will complete the good work that He’s begun in your life as you seek Him in prayer and tether your heart to His will.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Please forgive me for all of the times when I have chosen to disconnect. I want to be tethered to Your heart, Lord. I need to be. Help me to set aside my own will and trust in Your plan for my life.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Luke 18:1-8.
Take a personal inventory. What area in your life are you struggling to connect with God on? Have you stopped talking with Him about it? Spend time in prayer. Ask God to bind your heart with His regarding the details.
More from the Girlfriends
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I loved this devotion! So encouraging, yet thought provoking! I want to be tethered to God! I know when Jesus comes my faith will be there, but I am deeply concerned about the world!
Thank you for this devotional on continued faith and connection to God. Every valley we go through in life is an opportunity to strengthen our “tethering” to God. That concept is the one thing I can hold onto when in the depths of the valley or in the eye of the storm as I am now. No matter how dark it gets or how strong the storm is, I will stay tethered to my Lord who I know will not let me go. God bless you all GIG’s for inspiration you give us daily to keep the faith and not give up.
This devotional was a direct answer to prayer. I am a mentor for a high school robotics team. God has confirmed for me several times that this is where He wants me to be, to serve Him, but outside forces are making it VERY difficult. I was praying last night, crying out to God. I told Him that I feel like the Devil is winning. I am very angry with the people resonsible for making things so hard. I know that He (God) called me to the team, but I feel like giving up, and walking away.
This was in the shower. Its kind of my place to talk/cry out to God ALOUD. RIGHT AFTER that, I went to read one of my devotionals. It was this devotional I did not pick it for the title, hoping to hear an answer, but I got one. So I guess I am supposed to keep praying, even though the situation seems impossible, and hard to tolerate.