Jesus told a parable about a widow who incessantly went to a judge for legal protection against an enemy. The judge refused at first, but eventually helped the poor woman just because she wouldn’t quit coming (Luke’s gospel, 18:1-8).

Jesus finished the parable with the question, “… when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

Faith trusts the reality of what is not yet seen. Looking back to what God has already done, however, is what makes it easy to look ahead with confidence. Faith, rather than being blind, sees the record of God’s trustworthiness.

He made the earth to be ours, and gave us dominion over it and built faith-makers into his creation. We use up trees, but more trees grow. Using water pollutes it, but his ingenious cycle renews it afresh. Loved ones die, but God gives children and grandchildren. Even as we experience death, decay and loss, there is abundant newness springing up all around us.

And life, eternal life, springs up in each of us through Jesus. The “water” of his Holy Spirit he promised in John 7:37-39 keeps flowing. So what if the outer man decays, since the inner man, the one that lasts forever, is renewed day by day (2nd Corinthians 4:16). It is a certainty that, “..if anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creature” (2nd Corinthians 5:17).

So keep coming. Keep praying. Keep thanking and asking and pouring out your soul to God. If you and I are here when the Lord returns, let him find faith.