Are We There Yet?

Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, “There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’

“He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.’”

Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?” (Luke 18:1-8)

Are we there yet? Children on a trip are impatient. So are people in general. Jesus used the parable of the unjust judge to make the point that praying to God is never a waste of time. Even a horrible judge who doesn’t properly do his job, will do it if he gets nagged enough. So God, who is not a negligent jurist, will certainly bring justice for his chosen people. Jesus was making a point about God. God is not lazy, he isn’t too busy, he isn’t distracted. He isn’t dragging his feet. He actually is doing what needs to be done as quickly as it needs to be done.

Some have looked at the Holocaust and wondered, “where was God?” The question would be a reasonable one had the Germans won the war. But they didn’t. They lost. So where was God? He was using the allied forces to bomb Germany to bits. Then Germany was divided and occupied. Half of it was enslaved by the Soviets for a generation. Israel was restored as a nation. And it all came to pass considerably faster than the four hundred years of slavery endured by the Israelites in Egypt.

God does take care of his people. He does bring justice to them. And he’ll do it as quickly as possible. Count on it.

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