Lesson 4419

 (Lesson 4419)(03-09-24) Luke 18:1-8 

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a 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 a while: 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. And the Lord said, 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. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” 

 

Today’s quote conveys the Parable of the Persistent Widow to teach that persistent prayer is required to move unjust judges to act. Jesus narrated how a widow repeatedly appealed to an unjust judge for justice against her adversary. Indifferent to her plea in the beginning, the unjust judge eventually granted her request, not because her plea was worthy of speedy judgment, but rather to escape her constant annoyance. Jesus contrasted that method with the true and speedy nature of God, emphasizing that an unjust judge will yield only to persistence, whereas God—being righteous—will certainly respond to His own the first time their prayer is heard. Jesus assured swift justice from God then ended with a reflective question on whether He will find any faith on the earth when He returns. The intent of this parable is to encourage faith and trust in God's justice as opposed to the slow, and often injustice of mankind.~