Beloved, I am glad to share with you the above theme from Luke 18: 8 today. Indeed, the parable of the widow and the unrighteous judge encourages us to pray with perseverance (Rom 12.9-14; Col 4.2-4). Indeed, if a wicked man ends up letting himself be flexed, all the more reason will the God of love intervene to deliver “his chosen ones”. He is sometimes slow to do so, because the fruit he is expecting is not ripe, but let us not forget that he himself is forced to be patient, for his love would prompt him to act. Then a time will come, that of the great final distress, when this passage will take all its force for the elect of the Jewish people.
Indeed, the Lord had given to his disciples the teachings relating to that time; they should not be deceived by those who claim to inform them about the coming of Christ, and abandon everything rather and risking to lose their lives. Knowing what distress they will go through, the Lord teaches them here not to tire of praying during these dreadful times, while awaiting deliverance. This is why this teaching is also addressed to everyone, at any time. For to assure them that their requests will be answered despite the duration of their trial, the Lord Jesus contrasts the way of acting of a judge of the earth, an iniquitous one, with that of the loving God full of concern for his.
In fact, “He said, There was a judge in a city who did not fear God, and did not consider anyone. There was also in this town a widow who came to say to him: Do me justice of my opposing party. For a long time he refused. But then he said to himself: Although I do not fear God, nor have regard for anyone, nevertheless, because this widow is bothering me, I will do her justice, so that she may not come without stop breaking my head. ” Thanks to her perseverance with the iniquitous judge, the widow obtained what she wanted; all the more so, are not those who turn to God certain that they will get an answer, whatever the circumstances?
So the Lord added: “Hear what the wicked judge says. And will not God do justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night, and will he delay in their regard? ” The teaching given here is important to remember at all times and under all circumstances. For God will certainly intervene on behalf of the pious remnant when they pass through the great tribulation of the last days. If he does not hurry to answer, he has his reasons for being patient. As for the Jewish remnant, we know that their trial must last the time necessary to produce repentance in their hearts, to purify them and to form in them the moral characters suitable for the kingdom of God, so that they then receive the Lord.
Therefore the Lord God will not intervene until this work is accomplished; because he does not want it half done. He would like to remove his from the crucible; and he has compassion on them all the time they spend there; but, perfect in all his ways, he cannot act according to his love at the expense of his righteousness and holiness; for he wants to bring his elect to a state which enables them to fully enjoy the deliverance and the blessings which he will grant them, forming them in his image. To want liberation at all costs when we want it would be to go against a full blessing. So the faithful who will go through the tribulation of those days can count on deliverance, but at God’s time for their good; for the “Judge of all the earth,” as Abraham calls him in Genesis 18:25, will sooner or later do justice; and you have to wait for your moment.
For the Lord adds: “But when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Indeed, despite the cries of distress of the Jewish remnant during his long trial, his faith will not be up to the deliverance he will obtain. This is what we see in Acts 12, when the congregation in Jerusalem raised urgent prayers on behalf of Peter, imprisoned by Herod. God answered the requests of his people by sending an angel to deliver Peter. But when the latter knocked on the door of the house where several were gathered, the servant who opened the door was called mad by those who prayed, when she told them that Peter was there. For God responds by going far beyond the faith addressed to him.
We must therefore always pray and not get bored. This is the first thing to take away from the Lord’s teachings to His disciples. Then, if he does not act when we would like, we must confide in him, knowing that he has good reason not to intervene, because he is working for our eternal happiness. The results of his activity will be fully manifested in glory. For Paul says in 2 Cor 4: 17-18: “For our slight afflictions of the present moment produce for us, beyond all measure, an eternal weight of glory, because we look, not at things visible, but at those which are invisible. ; for the visible things are fleeting, and the invisible are eternal. ” However, to want to be instantly delivered from the ordeal would be to deprive oneself of its eternal results; it would be trading eternal blessings for present and temporary benefits.
For, incapable as we are of fully understanding why the Eternal God allows such a test, often so contrary in appearance to our good, we do not always know how to explain our needs to him, which is why “the Spirit himself intercedes by inexpressible sighs; and he who searches hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, for he intercedes for the saints according to God ”. But we do know one thing: “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God” (Rom 8: 26-28). However, when we need a quick answer, God will grant it, because He knows what we need. Then we have to live near the Lord, to be taught by him to know whether we should insist on him to obtain such or such an answer.
Thus, we note that the times we are going through have some analogy with those of the future Jewish remnant. Many prayers are raised to God that he will put an end to so many calamities. We can also say that he is patient before intervening. During this time he is doing his work in the world and in his own; he completes and prepares his Church with a view to withdrawing it. For the final deliverance will not take place, as for the Jewish remnant, by the execution of his judgments on the wicked, but the Lord will come and withdraw his Church from these judgments, which will then reach those who are left behind. In the meantime, let us pray without truce or rest and with the understanding that God gives us in our present times, committing ourselves to his omniscience and all-wisdom; because he is never mistaken and brings everything to a good end for his own. Our prayers support you all in efforts made to become members of that Church of God.
Les versets ci-après ont été compilés pour votre édification et regroupés pour votre meilleure compréhension.
- Judges
Dt 1.16 And I charged your judges at that time: Hear the disputes between your brothers and judge fairly, whether the case is between brother Israelites or between one of them and an alien. Dt 16.18 Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Dt 25.1 When men have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty. 1 S 2.25 If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the Lord , who will intercede for him?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord ‘s will to put them to death; 2 S 7.16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me ; your throne will be established forever.’ ” 2 Ch 19.5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. Mt 5.25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Lk 18.2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.
- Injustice
Jb 34.9 For he says, ‘It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God.’ Ps 10.4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. Pr 1.30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke; Dn 3.15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” So 1.12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.’ Ml 3.14 “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? Rm 1.28,30 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; Ep 2.12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 1 Tim 1.9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,
- Implore God
Ex 14.10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord . Jg 3.9 But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them. 1 S 7.9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the Lord . He cried out to the Lord on Israel’s behalf, and the Lord answered him. 1 K 17.20 Then he cried out to the Lord , “O Lord my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” Ps 34.6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. Ps 61.2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Lm 2.18 18The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest.
- Divine deliverer
1 S 17.37 The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” 2 S 22.2 He said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; Is 46.4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Jr 1.8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Dn 6.28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. 2 Co 1.10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us; He 2.15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Ultimately, we retain an important relationship between prayer and faith. For prayer is the entry point of this parable. Indeed, there is a reciprocal relationship in which faith prompts prayer and prayer strengthens faith. And in this relationship, it should be emphasized, prayer expresses the Christian’s dependence on Christ for his own needs and for his role in the advancement of the kingdom of God. Because we must continue to cry out to God in faith, without ever doubting that he will do us justice. When we do this with sincerity and perseverance, God will enable us to keep the faith until the end. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to persevere in prayer.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week “Jesus who speaks of his rejection as king and the responsibility of his own during his absence.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.