So Much To Learn

by R. Darke, Victoria, Canada | Category: General | May 1985

The Lord knew that His disciples had much to learn, which is why He carefully chose His words and illustrations when teaching them. Take prayer, for instance. It was after listening to Him pray that they requested: "Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples". So the Lord advised seven specific things for prayer, as recorded by Luke (11:1-4).

It was after this that He told the story of the man who sought three loaves from his neighbour to feed unexpected guests (vv. 5-10). He is refused because the neighbour and family have retired for the night. But the man persists, for the need is great, and it is because of his importunity that the neighbour relents and gives the bread. That is how to pray, the Lord seems to say when He quotes:

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you". Things are received, found and opened when we pray without ceasing. We must recognize, then, that there are conditions related to persistent, importunate prayer. Determination might well arise from the sincerity and the need of our petition.

Finally, the Lord gives us an insight into a third experience (vv. 24.26). He speaks of a house occupied by a demon being swept and garnished; in other words, cleaned out and furnished, but unoccupied. The demon returns with seven others to reoccupy the dwelling. This message could have been meant for the nation of Israel. Prophets, especially John the Baptist, had preached their messages of repentance and restoration for the nation to be ready for the coming of Messiah. It must be habitable for Him. By their obvious rejection of Christ, Israel ensured that the "house" would remain empty, and so become a haven for the Adversary.

Perhaps, by contrast, we can draw a personal picture emphasizing the importance of knowing the power of the Spirit indwelling our hearts by faith from the time of conversion. When this "house" of ours was "swept and garnished" by the mighty gospel of Christ, perhaps we did not realize that the Holy Spirit had actively taken up His abode with us. He was and is, in residence. "Even the Spirit of truth ... abideth with you and shall be in you" (John 14:17). This is not only a great privilege to be enjoyed, but also a confirmation, a security, that we are born again, born of the Spirit. This is how Paul once expressed his yearning for Christians: "... that ye may be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strong..." (Eph. 3:16-19). So our "house" is never empty, and therefore, cannot be occupied by a demon.

R. Darke, Victoria, Canada | May 1985
General