What is the meaning of Luke chapter 18 1-8?
Answer
The judgments and descisions of
flesh-and-blood man are primarily based upon the "physical
data" conveyed to our brain and intellect by our five "physical
senses." But, Jesus Christ is forever revealing to His flesh-and-blood
servants through His Word... and His parables... SPIRITUAL lessons;
illuminating and awakening the intellectual awareness of the "spirit"
within each of us:
"Faith" is
spiritual... it's a GIFT that God gives to His servants by His Grace; not
something we conjure up ourselves:
Luke 18:1-8 a lesson in Faith
Luke 18:1-8 is a lesson of "perseverance"...
of not giving up [quitting] on the invisible Spirit that the limitations of our
physical eyes can't see.
"What is Faith? It is the
confident assurance that what we Hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence
of things we cannot yet see." (Heb.11:1 NLT)
In man's court of law, physical
"evidence" is presented upon which a Judge, through his sight
and hearing, bases his ruling. In the case of this parable... the bizzare
"evidence" introduced into the record is FAITH --
something that no court would normally consider... yet, which is the only
important evidence needed in the court of the Judge of the Universe.
"...the Spirit of Knowledge and
of the Fear of the LORD...shall make Him of quick Understanding... and He
shall not Judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove
after the hearing of His ears: but with Righteousness shall He Judge
the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth..."
(Isa.11:2-4 KJV).
"...All God's people are
praying people. Here earnest steadfastness in prayer for spiritual
mercies is taught. The widow's earnestness prevailed even with the
unjust judge: she might fear lest it should set him more against her; but our
earnest prayer [through Faith] is pleasing to our God.
The word “prayer” is the common
Greek word meaning to petition, pray.
Jesus is teaching continual prayer, again and again, rather than
continuous, non-stop prayer. To pray
without ceasing is to pray repeatedly, time and again. Jesus teaches clearly that we are to continue
to pray until we receive the answer.
That continued prayer is not a sign of little faith, but of persistent
faith. The danger is that we get
discouraged and quit praying.
God’s will is swayed by persistent
prayer. In Psalm 18:6-16, David recounts
how God interceded with earthquakes, smoke, and fire to answer David’s fervent
prayer.
When we do not persevere in the
faith, we give Satan an opportunity to accuse us, and the people of the world
have reason to revile us
At all times we ought to pray – pray
without ceasing.
We are not to lose heart and to give
up on prayer.
We need a proper view of God:
God cares for us
God never delays answers because of
a lack of care or a lack of power.
God’s delays are always for our
good, even if the reasons are hidden from us.
God ultimately will bring swift and
certain justice for His elect
We need a proper view of ourselves:
We are often grieved by mistreatment
and difficult trials.
We should persistently bring our
heartfelt needs to God.
We must trust Him even when the
answers are delayed.
We can trust Him because we know
that we are His elect.
When to stop praying for something
that God isn’t granting. It’s not an
easy question. Sometimes the Holy Spirit
may say, “Stop asking; My grace is sufficient for you.” Sometimes He gives us an inner assurance that
the request will be granted, and so we can shift from praying to praising Him
for the answer. Sometimes He removes the
burden from our hearts and we move on to other requests. The Lord told Jeremiah to stop praying for
disobedient Israel, because He had determined judgement for them. (Jer. 11:14)
But often, He wants us, like this
nagging widow, to keep on asking until we receive what we need. God isn’t like this reluctant judge. He cares for us and is more than ready to
grant our requests when He knows that we are ready to receive the answer. So keep on praying and don’t lose heart. He will bring about justice for you speedily,
according to His timetable, not yours or ours.
