WHICH GOD IS MY JUDGE?
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “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 he would not for a while; but afterward 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? Luke 18:1-7
What a parable. The tragedy of this one, though it is beautiful with the contrast between judge and the Father, is that I can see the Father as the judge in this story. I feel I dare not ask for too much because God won’t have a heart for me. And, if I ask for too long, He will see me as pestering. He will groan when He hears me call His name.
Though many wouldn’t admit they feel this way, I’m convinced that this is the reason more don’t live a lifestyle of prayer. All teachers of the Word should be defenders of God’s character. With that in mind, I’d like to offer a contrast based on the whole counsel of God’s Word.
- The judge did not have a heart for people. The Father does.
- The judge did not know this woman. The Father knows the numbers of hairs on our head and we are His precious children
- The Judge was not moved by the widow’s story of injustice. The Father promises to avenge all wrongs done to any of His children.
- The woman had to plead her case on her own but Jesus rose again to be our advocate, our personal lawyer in heaven’s courts.
- The Judge moved on her behalf because he got sick of her asking for help. The Father moves, and will move, whether or not I even see the injustice.
- The woman had a one-time audience with the judge. We have round the clock access to our Father because Jesus made it possible.
To whom would you like to appeal to for help? I am sure that no one wants a judge but prefers the Father. Yet, perhaps you haven’t pleaded your case because you feel like you’re praying to the judge. You feel you’re in a stalemate between asking and being afraid to ask. Know this. The stalemate is based on emotion, which is not reliable. You have a Father and He waits to talk, to move, to comfort, and to avenge. Put your faith in the unwavering character of God as confirmed in scripture. Though you may feel one way (based on human experience), you can act on a truth you do not feel – yet affirm to be true. This will always be the right choice.
You are always the Father and when I feel You’re not, my sources for proof are my experiences with infallible and sinful people. I need Your grace to have faith when my heart betrays my trust. In Jesus name, Amen
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Thursday, 18 July 2024.
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