“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 the judge would not for a while; but finally 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? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
(Luke 18:1-8)
The widow in Jesus' parable was experiencing injustice from an adversary in the city where she lived. Sometimes the adversary can be someone in your family, on your job or right among the congregation where you worship. But he was close enough to her to be giving her a hard time on a regular basis.
Injustice comes in many forms... Racism. Repression. Radicalization.
She kept coming to the judge who was supposed to be a servant of the people, but he only had regard for his position and those that supported his position. But this widow knew that the judge was the one who could help her and she did not give up pleading for justice which he was sworn to uphold.
The judge ignored her - he had no compassion for her situation, but she kept coming. She came to the court house, she waited outside his house in the morning, she followed him home in the evening until she finally wore him down and he gave her justice.
Jesus told this parable to His disciples because He knew there would be an enemy coming against them to distract them from God's work... giving them (and us) a hard time to cause us to give up on what God has called us to do.
Sometimes the thing we are praying so fervently about seems to never begin to manifest. Finally we stop believing for it in the process of time. But Jesus asked if He would find us in faith if He does not come immediately or if we have to wait a long time.
Our ability to endure is proof of how rooted we are in Christ. Jesus said the Word (or seed) that is sown in us endures only for a while, and the person soon stumbles because of tribulation and persecution. But the heart that is rooted and grounded is immovable like a tree planted by the river whose roots are deeply and firmly planted.
So I will not be offended by the wait or give up on Him who brought me out of darkness into His marvelous light. If I must be reminded on a regular, that He certainly didn't give up on me. I love Him because He first loved me.
Lord help me to stand the test of time... to not grow weary in doing good... to not give up on You in the time of tribulation... when darkness seems to too long before the dawning. If my faith grows weary, let me have a refreshing and tie me to the horns of the altar that my sacrifice be not in vain. Help me to see You in the midst of it all and never forget that You are not slack concerning Your promises.