Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’
“And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?’” Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)
Some see persistence such as that demonstrated by the widow as presumptuous and rude. But look again: Jesus used an example of an unjust judge as a contrast with God who is just. God can be trusted to be a just God – to make right decisions. The Bible and our faith tradition encourage us to draw near to God. Persistent pursuit of God means that we should, at all times, even in the worst of times – especially in the worst of times! – seek an ever personal relationship with God. Only he can bring about justice in a corrupt world. Jesus understood this. This is why, even in the midst of a hectic life, when friends and strangers alike clamored for his attention, he stopped to talk to God. Even as violence was perpetrated against him he remained persistent in seeking the strength of the Father. Jesus himself understood he could do nothing on his own.
Keep the faith, even when others use you and hurt you. Be persistent in efforts to right wrongs and to seek God’s guidance. Remember the words of the psalmist:
“Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes… “…Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil. “For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
By Lisa Towle