Josue Michel on Unsplash
As I sat down to write this, I was impressed with the thought, “Will I find faith?”
I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
Luke 18:8 New International Version
It is found in the New Testament teachings of Jesus in the gospel of Luke. I have read the passage countless times, but until now, I have not seen it in its context.
I bring this up for two reasons.
- The Word of God is alive
The Bible is different from any book ever written. It is living and carries the potential to illuminate itself in a variety of ways.
I have read this verse hundreds of times and have not seen it the way I am writing about it.
It does not mean that I have been sloughful while reading it every other time. Nor does it mean that I have not understood what I read all those times.
- The timing of the Holy Spirit is perfect
It means God the Holy Spirit has something he desires to show me that is pertinent for this time in my life, my family, and my world.
God speaks to us through his word and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. (God speaks to his people in other ways, but this focus is on the Word of God.)
A close personal relationship with him enables us to understand this and respond appropriately.
I like the way The Message Bible conveys verse eight.
I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”
Luke 18:8 The Message
“But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”
What is “that kind of persistent faith?”
Jesus tells the story of an unrighteous judge and a persistent widow. The reason he conveys the judge as unrighteous is to point out that he (the judge) isn’t doing this out of the kindness of his heart or compassion for the widow.
The reason the judge is doing this is entirely selfish—he wants some peace and quiet.
Why is that important?
The reason it is important is to understand the judge is doing the right thing for selfish reasons. If an unrighteous judge will do the right thing for selfish reasons, how much more will a righteous God do the right thing for righteous reasons?
The point is the judge acted unwillingly to save himself, while God the Father acts willingly out of love to save his own.
What did the widow do?
A widow in that city kept after him—verse three
But after this went on and on—verse four
But because this widow won’t quit badgering me—verse five
The widow was persistent.
There was an injustice in her life that she wanted corrected, and she would not stop until it was.
The story reminds me of the global unrest regarding the war in Israel. The protests of those siding with Hamas are loud and forceful, but are they righteous?
As a Christ-follower, I have to say they are not.
They persistently demand that their voices be heard, but are they self-serving?
As one who prays for the peace of Jerusalem, I have to say they are.
Are the righteous persistent in their stance for Israel? Some are, but the majority are complacently sitting on the sidelines.
Jesus said it this way in Luke’s story.
“So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? ”
Luke 18:7 The Message
Do you see the stipulation?
Those “who continue to cry out for help?”
There is a part that you and I must play—we must continue to cry out for help!
We must exercise the persistence of the widow and not give up until justice is served.
For years, I thought this passage meant if you badger God long enough, he will eventually cave into your demands. (not a fundamental Christ-follower belief)
However, suppose you believe that the Bible is true and God will do what the Bible says he will do. In that case, you MUST remain steadfast in your commitment to cry out to him—not because you hope to get his attention or make him change his mind—knowing that he will honor his word and your persistent prayer.
The world we live in today is pulling hard to suck every ounce of belief in God out of you, and it will succeed if you do not have a close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Your life works out when you trust God. He takes care of you when you commit your life to him.
He guards your life when you have a close personal relationship with him.
A close personal relationship with the Godhead is needed now more than ever.
A close personal relationship with the Godhead is a journey. I invite you to follow along. As I learn, I will pass it along so you, too, can learn. I hope that as you learn, you can pass it along so that I (and others) might learn.
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