A Caring Father -- January 18, 2009

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?"
Luke 18:1-7

This parable is to teach us about God’s willingness to hear and answer our prayers by contrasting His character with the judges. We aren’t supposed to look for similarities in their characters. The main point of this passage is that WE have faith that is more persevering in our own ability to get justice out of a crooked judge than out of our Father who loves us.

According to the Lord this man had no fear for God. He wasn’t worried about morality or justice. He has no regard for humanity. He wasn’t even worried about getting along in the community. He responded to the widow’s case to get her out of his hair. Jesus wants us to know that isn’t the way God’s heart is towards us. That is why He told the parable so we wouldn’t lose heart and stop praying.

God hears His elect. He will give them justice, gladly. The delay is based on His patience with us, His elect. God can’t do everything we want in the first minute because He is patiently waiting for us to come around His way. He remains faithful while He anticipates our change into His Son’s character. He bides His time while we conflict with each other. He can’t choose sides when both are wrong. Our Father doesn’t immediately settle every squabble among the elect; He is waiting for us to work as much as possible by ourselves. He is giving us the opportunity develop our own character.

His plan is for us to work things out with Him in prayer. The Lord will help us change during consultation with Him. Jesus will show us ways to deal with the conflict if we present our case to Him. Our Father is not like the judge in the story. He isn’t trying to get us to leave Him alone. We are not bothersome to Him; He bears with us LONG.

Talking With Him,

Pastor Jason