How Much More? Praying with Persistence

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by Bart Denny Have you ever noticed how persistence changes outcomes? Parents know this all too well. A child wants a cookie before dinner, or a toy at the store, and the answer is “no.” But the request doesn’t stop there. They ask again. And again. Eventually—sometimes just for the sake of peace—we give in. Persistence works. But here’s the question: if persistence can move us—imperfect parents and imperfect people—what happens when persistence is brought before our perfect, loving, just heavenly Father? That’s the point Jesus drives home in Luke 18:1–8. He tells a parable “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” The story contrasts two characters: a corrupt judge with no fear of God, and a powerless widow who had no advocate but one weapon—persistence. And persistence won. If a widow could win justice from an unjust judge simply by refusing to quit, how much more can God’s children expect from the most just Judge of all when we persist in prayer? Let’s expl...
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Don’t Despair Over Evil Agendas—Trust in God’s Hidden Plan

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by Bart Denny

Have you ever watched someone cheat the system—and win?

Maybe it was a board game where the deck was stacked. Or a sports game where the ref clearly played favorites. It’s frustrating when people manipulate the rules for their own gain.

But it’s more than frustrating when that happens in real life—when injustice goes unpunished and evil people abuse power without consequence. In those moments, you may wonder, “Where is God in all of this?”

If you’ve ever asked that question, you’re not alone. And you’re in the right book.

When Evil Seems to Win

In Esther 3, we meet a man named Haman—a power-hungry official in the Persian Empire who hatches a genocidal plan to wipe out the Jews. It’s a chapter steeped in injustice, silence from heaven, and a rising sense that evil is gaining the upper hand.

But beneath the surface, God’s hand is still at work. Though His name is never mentioned in Esther, His fingerprints are everywhere.

1. When Evil Targets God’s People, Remember You’re Part of a Bigger Story

Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, refuses to bow to Haman. His act of defiance isn’t just personal—it’s spiritual. Haman’s response isn’t just petty—it’s diabolical. He moves to exterminate all Jews across the empire.

This is more than a personal vendetta. It echoes a spiritual conflict that spans Scripture. The people of God have always faced opposition. Jesus warned His followers of this very thing (see Matthew 5:11–12, John 15:18–19).

Yet history shows us again and again: God uses persecution to propel His mission. Just like in Acts 8, when believers were scattered and the gospel spread. Your faithfulness matters—even when it feels costly.

2. When Evil Gains Power, Trust That God Limits Its Reach

Haman casts lots to choose the day for his genocide—and the date lands almost a year away. He thinks it’s random. But Scripture reminds us: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:33).

God used the delay to give Esther and Mordecai time to act. Evil may look powerful, but it’s always on a leash. God allows only what serves His greater redemptive plan. Even at the cross—what looked like defeat was divine victory (see Acts 2:23, John 19:11).

3. When Evil Seems Unstoppable, Know That God’s Justice Is Unshakable

The chapter ends with Haman's decree being issued—and the king and Haman sitting down to drink while the city of Susa is bewildered. It feels like injustice is winning.

But Psalm 37 says, “The Lord laughs... for he knows their day is coming.”

Justice delayed is not justice denied. God’s justice may not come on our timetable—but it always comes.

Why This Matters Today

We still live in a world where evil rises, power corrupts, and the faithful suffer. But the message of Esther 3—and the message of the gospel—is this: God is never absent.

  • Pray with confidence—even when you feel unheard.
  • Obey with courage—even when the pressure mounts.
  • Encourage the faithful—even when their stand seems unnoticed.

God’s hidden hand is still writing the story. Evil doesn’t get the last word—God does.

A Final Word

So if you feel overwhelmed by injustice—or tempted to despair—look again at the cross. What looked like the triumph of evil was actually the turning point of history. Christ’s victory is your hope.

Don’t give in. Don’t give up. Trust the hand that writes the story.

About the Author:
Dr. Bart L. Denny, Ph.D., is the lead pastor of Pathway Church in Saranac, Michigan, a rural but vibrant congregation committed to seeing Christ magnified and lives transformed. Bart is a former Navy officer turned preacher, and an adjunct instructor of Christian leadership and Christian ministry. Learn more at bartdenny.blogspot.com.

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All comments are moderated. I welcome respectful disagreement with my posts. Such discussions can cause me to consider perspectives I hadn't examined before. However, I also reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason. Why? Simple enough, this is MY blog, with MY thoughts, and I want to have a civil conversation that is, at all times, God-honoring in nature.

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