June 21 Patient Persistence

Luke 18:1-8 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
 
MORE than 500 years ago, theologian John Calvin wrote: “Treachery, cruelty, imposture, deceit, and violence, abound on every hand; there is no regard to justice, and no shame; the poor groan under their oppressors; the innocent are abused or insulted; while God appears to be asleep in heaven.” Little has changed. Is God as the unjust judge who disregards righteous pleas and looks only to his own purposes? Is Jesus’ parable comparing the unjust judge to the Father? 
    Sometimes we can best see the truth when contrasted with evil. Jesus uses the unjust judge as an opposite of God in order to display God’s perfection. First, to affirm God’s pure justice, Jesus uses the unjust judge’s selfish motive (She’ll stop bothering me!) for granting the widow’s request. Our Father in Heaven will respond to your faithful prayers to draw you more purely into his protection and care. His will is for his glory and your blessing.
    Second, Jesus urges persistent prayer to build our faith. Seldom will the Lord quickly answer our prayers. He is the parent or mentor who holds back a problem’s solution in order to teach you perseverance. With such encouragements as, “Keep at it. See the solution. You’ll learn through your mistakes.” one who stays in the struggles will grow in wisdom and experience. Such Is our heavenly Father’s method. Patiently persevere as the widow, and you will hear from your just Father in Heaven.
    Think of the Bible accounts of people transformed into God’s purpose. Such change almost always took years. Consider, too, the Jews’ awaiting a Savior and the church now awaiting the Savior’s return. Jesus affirms the Father will avenge the unjust decrees.
    Each day and each hour, consider God will avenge wrong. Remember he has been patient with you: 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
    Trust God. Be persistent and patient to move through your trials toward God. Pray urgently for the worldly that they will be saved unto Heaven.
 
Prayer: Lord, you are holy, just and true. Grant me patience to await your justice on earth. Grant me love to pray for your world. In Jesus’ name, amen.