July 3, 2026 · Mark Bishop
Shut Up
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?””
Luke 18:1-8 →
## Ask Again
Early this week, my youngest daughter, age 2, wanted me to put her on my shoulders and fall on my bed– a game she enjoys. Unfortunately, I had only a few minutes to get out of the house to make it on time for work so I really didn’t have the time. Of course, she can’t understand work and time, so she cried and kept begging me, even if it were one time. I tried to focus on getting ready and out the door to make it to work, but she persisted– and I caved. Some days it’s easy to get annoyed at someone asking the same question, especially after you’ve given your response. It gets worse when it’s consistent, but it’s good to point out that this lady coming to the judge isn’t asking “where are we going to eat?” The questioning in the context is something that is affecting her life, and not just a few hours or days. Plus her asking for justice is in a different field than questions we can think of that a person keeps on asking. Justice is something that can change an entire circumstance or alter a way of living as opposed to asking which restaurant you want to go to after the movie. Apparently, she had been wronged and knew it, but there was nothing being done. The adversary was free.
Jesus tells us this parable because it’s those who pursue that get an answer– a quick one at that. In a relationship, it’s been said that girls love to be pursued. If you want a girl, then go after her and show her you mean it. She may say “no,” but if she’s single then she may come around to saying “yes.”
## Self-Check
Are you seeking God about a matter to the point it would annoy another person listening? His ears can handle our words as long as our ears can handle His reply. Ask Him today, tomorrow, and the next day … and wait for His reply.
## The Good Guy and The True Guy