The Unjust Judge: Luke 18:2-5

Luke 18:2‑5
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IN a materialistic day such as the present, prayer is at a discount. Sense is more than faith, and the visible is greater than the invisible. But it nevertheless remains true that man is the most helpless creature conceivable apart from the God who made him; and he who ignores this is riding for a fall―rushing forward to destruction.
Even true-hearted souls are frequently tried by divine delay in answering prayer and are tempted to give up the praying attitude in consequence. To all such the parable of the Unjust Judge has an encouraging voice. It was also given to the disciples as a stimulus to pray always and not faint. The parable runs thus: “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 my 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 rue, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me’” (Luke 18:2-52Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. (Luke 18:2‑5)).
Dispensationally there is a reference here to “the days of the Son of man.” In the previous chapter the Saviour had spokes of the last great crisis, and the painful circumstances in which the godly remnant of Israel will find themselves at that time. The parable of the Unjust Judge follows this immediately, and is connected with it. In the dark days of Antichristian apostasy when Christendom and Judaism will join hands in the bases iniquity, those who cleave to God will have no resource but prayer. The book of Psalms gives us prophetically many of the agonizing appeals that will then be wrung from their distressed hearts. God will certainly avenge their wrongs, and judge their oppressors in His own time; the question is, will His people wait for Him, and accept no deliverance but that which comes from His hand? This is the force of the Saviour’s words, “When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:88I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8)).
At all times, and under all circumstances, it is good to trust God. Ever since the Fall, it has been the tendency of flesh to plan and provide for itself in utter independence of God. This is the root cause of the misery of which the earth is full. It is the beginning of good things when a man’s pride and self-will become broken down, and he turns to God in humble penitence, pleading for salvation the Saviour’s worthy name and His atoning blood. Such faith is blessed immediately and forever. But this step, supremely important though it be, is only an initial one. It is the introduction into a life of faith, every step of which should be marked by simple confidence in God. Let Him delay to answer prayer if it so please Him, still faith perseveres, knowing assuredly that infinite power and love will never suffer a single trusting soul to be overwhelmed. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psa. 30:55For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)).