Never Neither

01.18.13

Luke 18.8 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?” NIV

Luke 18 begins with a parable traditionally known as the Parable of the Persistent Widow. The widow needs justice from an oppressor and seeks it from a judge who really wants nothing to do with her. But she is more determined in her oppression than the judge is in his office – her plight is motivates her more than his bureaucratic position does him: she’s serious; he’s bored.

So, the widow persistently checks in with him asking, have you done anything yet? At first her pleas are no big deal, she’s mostly ignored. But what saves her is her persistence and the fact that she refused to be put off. And after a while, the judge finally says: ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ He’s had it, and gives her what she wants just to shut her up. She’s granted justice. Even though the system was stacked against her, God saw to it that she got her justice.

Jesus said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 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? 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?” In other words, God loves to hear from His kids who cry out to Him – the question is, will they cry out or will they give up?

The persistent widow got justice from an unjust judge because she was persistent. She knew he had the power and authority to act on her behalf and though he treated her like crap (widows in those days were pretty far down the food chain) she kept at him to do what he was put into power to do: keep oppressors from unjustly oppressing. She may not have respected him but she understood the office. She could have given up. She could’ve thrown her hands in the air and given up: the system is fouled and faulty and doesn’t work. (Many today have that attitude about our own system of government.) Maybe we could learn from the persistent widow: hound these guys until they do what they’re supposed to do! Just sayin… But she didn’t give up because she understood her tactic. And she understood the power of persuasion. She knew if she kept at it, she’d get what she wanted. She never gave up.

So are we persistent in our battles of faith or do we throw in the towel and give up? We needn’t be persistent with God because He is never neither bored nor unconcerned. God will bring about justice! Ah, but will His chosen ones persist? Will they believe in Him despite all odds? Will they keep on trusting Him when things don’t appear to be going their way? The persistent widow knew what it took – do I? She stood her ground – will I? She believed – will I? A Christian who will pray when all seems not to be going their way will be rewarded for faith at the end of the day and will secure all they need through the power of stay. Will I stay, will I pray?

Father, You are never neither bored nor unconcerned: You are active and involved in our lives. Lord, may I learn from the persistent one who stood her ground and fought for what she knew was right. May I encourage my brothers and sisters to do the same – Amen.