Wed. July 16th :: Lk.18 :: ‘However’

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 18:7-8)
------------------------------------------------------------

It's funny how one word can reorient an entire discussion.

God promises in this passage that He will bring justice to his children when they cry out to him. Perhaps you need to hear that today. Jesus promises that our prayers are not in vain. He hears them. And he promises to set things right.

Yet the ultimate question Jesus asks in this passage is not about answered prayers. The ultimate question hinges on that one word in verse eight—HOWEVER. After reassuring us of God's faithfulness Jesus abruptly changes the subject: “However, when the Son of Man comes will he find faith on earth?’ (Luke 18.8).

The final question Jesus asks of us is this: ‘Will we have the courage to trust God in the space between our cry for help and his just response?’ Will the Son of Man [the returning Jesus] find faith on earth?

I heard someone say recently that we do not love God because he makes life better (although He certainly does). We love God because HE is better. We do not worship God because he gives us great things. We worship God because He is great.

So here’s what I’m thinking about this morning:
Do I love God for God’s sake, or for my own?
Is there a difference?
What do you think?