Posted: Feb 16, 08 11:39pm
Tomorrow will be our last parable. It is hard to imagine that we have gone through them all. I hope you will join in, and pull up the back issues that you missed.
48. Widow And The Judge
Lu:18:1: And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Lu:18:2: Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: Lu:18:3: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. Lu:18:4: And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Lu:18:5: Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. Lu:18:6: And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. Lu:18:7: And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? Lu:18:8: I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Jesus taught this parable to teach us that we must be praying people, and never grow weary in our prayers. He further shows the power of perseverance. He gives us a case of an honest cause before an unjust judge. The judge was of bad character: He neither feared God nor regarded man. Those that do not respect God also do not respect others.
The poor widow cried to the judge day after day for relief against her enemy. According to the judge’s usual practice, he would not relieve her for quite awhile, perhaps because she had no bribe to give him. The judge became weary in her troubling him and finally heard her cause and did her justice. Here is the application for this parable for the encouragement of God’s praying people. Jesus assures us that God at length will be gracious to us; that He would avenge His own elect. God will preserve and protect those that cry out to Him in prayer day and night. In Isaiah 42:6-7, God’s praying people are told to give Him no rest. We may bear long in a particular circumstance, but God exercises patience towards the adversaries of His people.
The widow came to a judge who wanted her to keep her distance; we come to a Father that bids us to come boldly to Him. The judge was unjust; the Father is righteous. The widow had no one to speak on her behalf; we have Jesus Christ who intercedes for us.
The widow could call upon the judge only during certain hours; we may cry out to God continually. Her provoking the judge wearied him; God is pleased with our fervent, effectual prayer. Jesus continues, “However, when I come will I find this type of faith on the earth?” Christ Jesus always asks us, “Is there faith in that request?” It is here foretold that He shall find but little faith when He comes, or few with faith.
If He delays His coming, will man deny his faith?
Is there any particular prayer request that you have grown weary in?
Do you believe that God is going to still answer it?
