Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 (NIV)
Long before Gloria Steinem or the Women’s Rights Movement, a widow lived in a certain city, in a hard-core patriarchal society, in the district of a social activist judge.
In order to right a wrong being committed against her, she presented her case time and again before this judicial stonewaller. But there was no indictment. No charges. No rulings. So she appealed time and again. And again. And again and again. Set in no-man’s land, this lady could have used an organized protest and poster boards bewailing “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied!”
Jesus doesn’t give many details in this parable, but He gives us enough to know that this woman is stuck in a catch-22 social structure, aka urban rut. A widow in a certain city—any city, your city, my city, any place of hierarchy and politics.
That she has continuously presented herself before the magistrate emphasizes her alone-ness in the city and moreover, the lack of any male family members. A brother, even a male cousin by marriage twice removed, would have been able to resolve this situation in no time.
But she has only two persons. An enemy. And an unjust judge. Though she seems powerless without family, she possesses something all-powerful that neither the enemy nor judge can withstand—persistence and faith.
Seriously?!? She is here AGAIN!?! She is driving me crazy. I’m going to answer her plea for justice just so she will leave me alone! Argghhhhh I hate this job!
As Jesus continues the parable, He says that the unjust judge eventually does what is right, not based on the law, but based on the widow’s persistence. And then as if to awaken nodding off students, He says “Did you hear that? Did you hear what the unjust judge did? Do you get it? If an unjust judge will grant justice, how much more will your persistent pleas result in the Lord God, a just judge, granting justice?”
In this parable, Jesus is teaching that God, who has revealed Himself to be just, hears the persistent prayers and cries of His people; even an unjust judge who doesn’t fear God or respect man cannot ignore a person’s persistent pleas, even if for no other reason than to escape the bothersome demands that he do what is right. In contrast, how much more will God, a just judge, give justice to the faithful who cry to Him day and night?
Going to an unfulfilling job day in day out can get the best of us. But walk by faith, not by sight. Pray boldly. And don’t lose heart, Bible speak for don’t give up. Continually present yourself and your situation before God’s throne.
Take a lesson from the widow. After all, how could she, against all odds, continuously present her case before the judge? Because she had a legitimate case of injustice. She knew that, regardless of the judge’s character, he had to do his job. He had to do the right thing.
Present your case to God. It is His “job” to hear your prayers and His character to answer them. Ask Him for a new job, a new way to earn a living, a way to express your heart. As difficult as continuously praying in faith while stuck in an unfulfilling job can be, resist giving up before God divinely gives in.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for providing me with a job, and God, you know that I really don’t like my job. My heart is not there. I feel a little more dead each day that I am stuck there. I cast my anxieties on You because Your Word says You care for me. Thank You for answering speedily and without delay. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.