Description
Though He Bear Long With Them
Luke said that Jesus “spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint.”
What does it mean to faint? It means to quit, grow weary, or give up. We learn from the outset that the purpose of this parable is that we persist in prayer until we are answered. The parable is as follows:
“There was in a certain city a judge, which feared not God neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for awhile: but afterward he said within himself, though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”
The widow got what she wanted. The judge was a hard hearted man who felt no obligation to God and no compassion for his fellowman. The widow was the most pitiable creature of society, that one more deserving than perhaps all others. Because she persisted in coming and pleading, the judge granted her petition, for no other reason than that she was an annoyance.
Then Jesus added commentary:
“Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.”
The Father will hear you as you cry day and night unto Him. Don’t faint. Don’t give up. Hear it again, “And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them.”
That last phrase suggests that He never leaves us, nor stops listening. He never tunes us out but remains attentive and devoted to us. While we are admonished to persist in patience in prayer, also know that He hears us and waits patiently for that moment when all is just and right for the answer to be given. Time and timing are the issue here. After all, what good is the right answer and blessing given at the wrong time.
Perhaps our persistence in prayer is not so much to change God’s mind, but to allow Him time to prepare all things that we might receive what He already wishes to give.
Source: Luke 18:1-8
Glenn Rawson
