Throw Away or Take Away? Day 4

Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that 

they should always pray and not give up.

Luke 18:1

… and what follows is a truly strange story, the story of the unjust judge.

It is not a stretch to imagine how miserable life would be under the rule of someone who cares nothing for the welfare of those under his authority. He rules as he wishes, and the burdens and injustice suffered by his subordinates are of no concern to him. A truly difficult scenario.

But in the middle of this bleak situation we are introduced to a widow who keeps “bothering” this wicked man with a plea for justice against someone who has wronged her. Nowhere is there any indication that the judge has relented or softened or eventually takes a liking to the old girl. She just wore him out.

As far as we can tell, this lady didn’t lay awake at night worrying; she didn’t e-mail all her friends or put it on Facebook. She recognized then directed all her energy toward the only source that had any power to change her situation. And even the unjust judge “who neither feared God nor cared about men” responded to her.

Then Jesus says, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Like the widow, bring your concerns to the only one who can change the situation, but with a big difference. Your God is not uncaring; He is a wise and loving sovereign who directs His rule toward the ultimate good of His children. Concentrate your energy toward Him and put your hope in Him. Don’t waste it on worry or useless speculation that will come to nothing.

However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith upon the earth?  (Luke 18:8). In this information-saturated age, it is easy to substitute knowledge for wisdom and opinion for truth. It is also easy to allow these imposters to sap our time, our energy and our focus.

More than ever, our challenge to keep faith with the only One who has the power to make any difference-- in our world and in our life.

Nancy Shirah