What Can We Do?

First published: 2021-08-11 —- Last edited: 2021-11-25

We are living in turbulent and scary times. Is there anything that we can do to change the situations that we face? How do we respond?

Jesus told a parable of a widow who had suffered injustice. She would not give up to seek justice do be done, and finally she prevailed. (Luke 18:1-8).

After finishing the parable Jesus asked a question that is important for us, especially for us today. We live in the shadows of the approaching end of this age.

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:7-8).

What we believe determines our understanding of reality, reality seen and unseen. This parable illustrates persistent prayers: “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Do we believe that God answers our prayers?

Faith is not faith in faith. Faith is not faith in the power of the mind or in the power of positive thinking. It is is not “make believe,” repeating over and over what we want to believe, until we feel that it will become reality. Faith is trust in God.

Beginning in Luke 17:5 we find passages that help us to understand what faith is.

Luke 17:5-10
The apostles ask Jesus: “Increase our faith.” The Lord’s answer is: Do not boast about what you have accomplished. .

Luke 17:11-19
Jesus healed ten lepers. One of the lepers returned “with a loud voice glorified God, and Jesus said to him “Arise, go; thy faith hath saved thee.”

Luke 17:20-37
Jesus answered questions about the coming of the Kingdom of God. In this passage we do not find the word “faith.” But the passage shows us the connection between obedience and faith. Jesus warned: “Remember Lot’s wife.” The angels that came to save Lot, his wife and two of his daughters commanded: “look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed” (Genesis 19:17). This command required complete separation from Sodom and Gomorrah, even in their hearts. Lots wife did not believe the warning “lest thou be consumed.” Her unbelief caused her to disobey.

Luke 18:1-8
Jesus taught this parable “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” After finishing the parable Jesus asked: “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge [vindicate] them speedily.” And then Jesus asked another question: “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” We need to persist in prayer.

Luke 18:9-14
The parable of a Pharisee and a publican in the Temple. Jesus ends this parable saying “every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Again in this passage we do not find the word “faith;” but it again illustrates the need of humility as seen in Luke 17:5-10. The circle finishes as it opened: we need to be humble.

These passages together teach us faith in God. He can protect us, guide us, and strengthen us to overcome any adversity. Here is what will strengthen our faith:

Do not boast about your achievements
Give glory to God and thank Him
Believe and obey his Word
Cry out unto God day and night

Will the Son of man find faith among us?