Every year in the spring in central Texas, USA, we anticipate the return of the hummingbirds from their winter homes in Mexico. Upon their return, these birds are eager for the nectar found in the hummingbird feeders located in various yards. Apparently, hummingbirds have good memories, as they seem to return again and again to the same yards.

This year, we purchased a hummingbird feeder that attaches to the window. It is great fun to watch the hummingbirds drink the sugar water which fuels them in their hunt for sustaining food. Our cat is also mesmerized as he watches from the other side of the window. One of the screws failed that is attached to the plastic device holding the feeder. While my husband was fixing the feeder, the hummingbirds kept coming back to the spot again, again, and again, even though there was no feeder on the window. They never gave up and remained totally persistent in their search for the nourishing sugar water. Their persistence finally paid off, as the feeder is now fixed, and the hummingbirds are happy.

I've been thinking about the various biblical stories concerning persistence. My favourite is the story of the persistent widow:

Luke 18:1-5 – One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, 'Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.' The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, 'I don't fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'" (NLT)

How often we give up on projects, ideas, friends, family, prayer, even the church, just because quitting is the easy way!

The persistent widow and the hummingbirds should inspire us to pray and not give up because God will hear and answer the prayers of those who submit their petitions to Him.

Then, Jesus goes on to ask THE question, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8 NIV) Let us strive to be persistent in our prayers and in our lives of faithfulness, so that the Son of Man will indeed find faith on the earth.

Prayer: Gracious Lord, may we follow the example of the persistent widow and never give up on our faith in You and on our efforts to speak to You, and to listen to and act upon Your Word. May we express our faith in our thoughts, words, and actions. Amen.

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About the author:

Saranne (Punky) Penberthy <saranne.penberthy@gmail.com>
Clifton, Texas, USA
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