Give Him No Rest

by David Gibson

In a not-so-familiar passage, God urges Israel, “You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest ...” (Isaiah 62:6-7 NASB). In other words, keep petitioning God in your prayers for the good of His people. He will hear and respond!

Persistence pays!

Jesus strongly emphasizes the tremendous power of persistent prayer.

“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). A widow asked the judge to give her justice against an oppressor. He admitted the only reason he granted her request was that “this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.”

Jesus’ point is that if a heartless judge finally granted justice because of the widow’s persistence, how much more will our righteous God “give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night” (Luke 18:1-7; see Luke 11:5-13)?

When Jesus was traveling through Gentile territory, a Canaanite woman begged Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. At first, He gave her the silent treatment. Then He spoke, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” She kept begging. Then, He gave her the ultimate test: “‘It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly” (Matthew 15:21-28).

Observations

Jesus contrasts persistence in prayer with losing heart (Luke 18:1). The persistent widow refused to stop pestering the judge.

The persistent mother let nothing discourage her. She kept begging. And why? She had great faith. She truly, truly believed Jesus could help her. She was right, and she was rewarded.

And so will we.