2.There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither
regarded man: 3 And
there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of
mine adversary. 4 And he would
not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God,
nor regard man;5 Yet because
this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she
weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear
what the unjust judge saith. 7 And
shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he
bear long with them? 8 I tell
you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh,
shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:2-8)
The Collect
Fifth Sunday after Trinity
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RANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that
the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that
thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
This
was a judge common to the profession of our own day who undertook to act upon
his own law to the abandonment of the justice of God, on the one hand, and the
rejection of public trust on the other. We should not be surprised since we see
Constitutional protections written so clearly that a child could not
misunderstand being interpreted by our Federal courts with ridiculous license
and disregard for original intent of the Framers. We are amazed at the
extraordinary distance a Federal judge will go to turn Constitutional
principles upon their head. This fault in our system does not reside in our
founding formularies, but in the lack of vigilance and persistent advocacy in
defense of those formularies on the part of the people of the United States. We
may be upset at the injustices streaming from the pens of Supreme Court
justices for a time, but our memories are short-lived. If our citizenry
exercise the persistence of the widow of our parable today, we might discover a
happier and more prosperous America.
2.There was in a city a judge, which feared not God,
neither regarded man. This
judge was an arrogant and self-centered man whose rise to an impeachable level
of authority had brought out his true and corrupt character – a character that
had remained hidden under the surface prior to his elevation. He did not
respect the Moral Law of God, and even impugned the established laws of his
community for whom he worked. The only motivation to justice for this judge was
public outcry and personal convenience.
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto
him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. Widows of that day were often poor and destitute. They
were forced to defend their little possessions against a society dominated by
men. Due to a political correctness balanced against them, the widow would
always suffer a disadvantage at court against any injustice at the hands of
men. This widow was perhaps best described as: …a widow indeed, and
desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night
and day. (1 Tim 5:5)The widow sought no advantage over justice, but ONLY
justice did she seek.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said
within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her,
lest by her continual coming she weary me. This woman may have been a widow, but she had the
God-given character to continue to press for justice, and the perseverance to
see the matter through to the finish. The judge, having no character, sought
relief from the inconvenience of the `continual'pleading of the widow. Even an
unjust judge, being far removed from the righteous character godliness, will
deign to alleviate the injustice done a widow woman if she persists in her
cause. How much more will a righteous and merciful God deign to grant justice
and mercy to those who persist in prayer to Him – that is, a PREVAILINGapproach
to prayer.
6 And
the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. There
are lessons that we may learn even from observing the actions of the
unrighteous. Having a Father in Heaven of far greater wisdom and justice, we
may look at the lapses of justice in the world and marvel at the moments when,
perchance, a just decision is granted at the bar of the world for one who has
suffered injustice. If that is possible, how much more is it certain that a
just God will always render justice to those who seek His Face in Prevailing
prayer? The quote is attributed to the titled LORD who gave the parable.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and
night unto him, though he bear long with them? As
previously mentioned, some of the greatest lessons taught by Christ conclude
with a question. Why is this so? Because Christ is the Master and ultimate
Teacher. A question will provoke a greater degree of thought than an outright
statement. This question requires us to use our logic and reason. It would be
ridiculous to conclude that the God of Righteousness and Judgment, as well as
of Grace and Mercy, would not grant justice and mercy to his own elect, who cry
to Him day and night, more than an unjust judge would grant justice to a widow
unloved by society. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory
hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you
toucheth the apple of his eye. (Zech 2:8) The LORD does not always rush
His judgment, but He is sure and certain in its delivery. Be patient
therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman
waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it,
until he receive the early and latter rain. (James 5:7 )
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.
Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? How persistent in both prayer
and faith shall this present generation be? The people of God pine away for His
soon coming, yet, the decades and centuries roll by, and we are yet in the
world with its political systems of corruption and wickedness. As the wicked
grow in numbers and seeming powers, there comes to be a stark contrast in those
few who remain faithful to God and to His Word. The day will come when the
Remnant of God's Church will be reduced to a single Camp of Righteousness in a
World of Sin and Wickedness. A camp is a very small cantonment for the Soldiers
of Christ when compared to the world at large, isn't it? And (they)
shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the
earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is
as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and
compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came
down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Rev 20:8-9) A sobering
question now faces each reader of this devotion: Will you continue in the
casual religion of the world (even if so-called Christian), or will you begin
to study diligently to show yourselves approved of God and by living according
to the oracles of Christ as illumined by His Holy Ghost?
