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Listen while you read: "We Have An Anchor"1 (Lyrics) |
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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Thank you for inspiration.
Encouraging words, Saranne. Thanks for sharing.
A beautiful reminder. Thank you.
Blessings.
Thank you, Saranne, for this encouraging word and sharing your writing with us.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging and timely devotional with us! Blessings.
Bravo Punky! Well done.
Great word today.
Blessings.
Good illustration with a great lesson, Saranne. My mom grew up in an area of Texas which is known as a fly-through for hummingbirds.
What a wonderfully colorful sight you brought to mind with the hummingbirds. Persistence in God’s strength keeps us from missing the mark in everything. Beautifully written. Thank you.
Thanks Saranne.
We have a cottage about 2 hours north of Toronto and the hummingbirds keep us entertained too with their persistence.
Good morning, Saranne,
Thank you so much for this reminder of the importance of persistence in prayer. We will look forward to other devotionals from you.
Thank you, Saranne, for your very meaningful devotional today as those are very mindful and encouraging words. We certainly must never give up faith in our loving Saviour and always be very thankful that He is ever ready to serve us. Blessings for your writings.
Hi Saranne
That was a very meaningful devotional and so true. Quite often in life no matter what we are doing, we get tired early or frustrated and give up. I am thankful the Lord helps to persevere and keep the faith. Good writing!
Good morning, Saranne,
A good hymn was chosen to go with your topic. God is our anchor at all times, and we can trust that he will always be there for us, therefore we need to be persistent in our efforts to be faithful, pray, read His Word.
Thank you for the great example of the hummingbirds and their faith that the sugar water would return once more.
May we all remember to practice our faith and spread the good news so that God can work His wonders in others. The faithful will be here when Jesus returns. Blessings.
Good morning, Saranne
Good to read your devotional this morning, we need to be persistent indeed. Not do things because we always do it that way, because we have the desire. One of the reasons there are so many people who do not believe is mostly because they are just not interested, and there seems to be so little we can do about it. I have discussed it with one of my grandsons, a really good fellow, has a good wife and two lovely children. He said we are happy with the lifestyle we have, I told him they could even be happier, but all to no avail. Actually he is one of the grandchildren with who I have the most contact.
May we just be persistent in the things of our faith and pray that others will be interested as well.
Blessings.
Well said, Saranne! Memorable, which helps me. Thank you for sharing your faith, hope, and strength today.
Hi Punky,
So happy that you wrote a devotion, and about birds, too! Well done. Your analogy of the persistent hummingbird is a good one.
Blessings!