He said, “There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
Jesus knows the hearts of human beings. He knows that in the secret places of our hearts we sometimes suspect that God is like this dishonest judge, largely indifferent to the pleas of his people. Even those most in need, who, as it were, keep bothering him, seem to go unvindicated. In this parable Jesus does not admit that God is actually like this but rather demonstrates with good humor that even in such a case it would still be worthwhile to pray without becoming weary or losing heart.
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.’”
If even the judge who is unjust fears the thirst for justice shown by this harmless widow how much more will the father of orphans and the protector widows (see Psalm 68:5) respond to the cries of his people who persist in crying out to him day and night?
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (see Matthew 5:6).
Our temptation when we face a delayed response is gradually give in to the misperception of God as aloof and indifferent. Instead we should respond by increasing in our own passionate desire for justice. It seemed the the widow was not just going through the motions when she came before the judge. It really seemed to the judge like things were escalating, and as though he might actually be in danger if he didn't concede. So too with us, then. We are not meant to say prayers in a perfunctory fashion, but rather to actually desire and to grow in desire for justice, for the good things that God desires to give us.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
The response of God may seem slow to us, but he does not actually hesitate or delay. When nothing seems to be happening we know that God is at work behind the scenes, both in the world, and in our hearts. He will, without fail, secure the rights of his chosen ones, those who do not give up or lose heart. Our Father in heaven desires to give us good things, not only more than a corrupt earthly judge, but even more than earthly parents desire to bless their own children.
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (see Luke 11:13).
Let us not grow cold and give up on prayer when responses seem to be delayed. Let us overcome our faulty images of God by pressing harder into prayer and growing in desire for the righteousness that only he can secure for us. He is, this very moment, about to move, to bring vindication to his people.
For he remembered his holy word
to his servant Abraham.
And he led forth his people with joy;
with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
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