Week of January 19

I recently viewed an investment video where a wealthy man stated that a person who invests in one of the stock indexes and stays committed to it through their lifetime will reach life’s end with an incredibly large sum of money. He warned, however, against moving money out of stocks anytime there is a drop in the stock market. He counseled that one must be willing to remain committed to the market to see long-term exponential growth in their investments.

There is a spiritual parallel to this illustration, and it is found in Luke 18. I sum up the point of today’s passage by encouraging you to trust in the Lord and His word because it places you on solid ground. This faith posture requires great patience and remains one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life, but it pays lasting spiritual dividends in the life to come.

The setting for the parable

This parable provides us with encouragement in the severe trials that we face, even as we wait for the Lord’s return (18:18b & 17:22-37). Our focal passage today links to the previous chapter and the discussion about the end times. Jesus wants us to remain steadfast, even though there might seem to be a delay in His second coming. He wants us to know that His coming again is certain and not to give up hope. Here are some tried and true principles by which to live faithfully in trying times.

God always remains trustworthy. We obviously see two characters in the parable: an unjust judge and a persistent woman. It is not uncommon for Jesus to use a less-than-noble person as a main character in a parable (Matthew 13:44; 25:1-13; EBC). We may wonder, “Why does Jesus use this sort of example?” He uses a form of reasoning that we see evidence of all around us (cf. NAC). For example, if a person is declared dead, then we may also draw the confident conclusion that he or she is not breathing. Here, we would say that the judge, even though quite a worldly man, prided himself on his shrewd judicial decisions. Therefore, we may be absolutely assured that our loving heavenly Father always remains true to His word. He will answer your prayers. 

Grow closer to the Lord in your trial. We may use our companion reading passage today as a case study. Joseph had been treated unjustly by his jealous brothers. He was sold into slavery (Genesis 37:27), wound up in Egypt (37:36), and even spent some time in prison due to another unjust set of circumstances (39:6b-23). This progression of events obviously took a number of years to unfold. He was a prime candidate for bitterness, yet he used these hurts to see in them God’s opportunity for betterment. God was at work to bring about his deliverance for His covenant people (45:5b-6). The same holds true for you!

Stand firm on the solid ground of prayer and trust in God’s Word. We must not think God’s delay signals that He is unfeeling or unjust in any way. Jesus wants us to see that, even as we may have confidence in the granting of the woman’s request in those difficult circumstances, we also may have the same, and greater, confidence that God will answer our prayers for His coming. We must not permit the constant dripping of our calamity to erode our confidence in God. Choose rock-solid devotion even when overwhelmed by emotion.

We will soon arrive at a key date in American military history. WWII events in the Pacific had led to a March 11, 1942, retreat for the United States in the Philippines. It was traumatic; however, General Douglas MacArthur stated boldly upon his exit, “I will return.” He uttered similar immortal words, “I have returned,” upon his return to the islands on October 20, 1944. He went on to broadcast a message of hope to the Filipino people which began with the words, “By the grace of Almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil . . .” Jesus’ disciples know that, just as He has ascended to the Father, He will indeed return in like manner—guaranteed (see Acts 1:11). Our commitment to pray and be prepared enables us to remain confident until His coming (Acts 1:6-8).  

So, how may we apply the passage to our lives today? First, we may keep our confidence that God is trustworthy, even when we often may question the fidelity of judges within our judicial system. If He is trustworthy in word, then we may also conclude that His actions that emerge from His words will be trustworthy as well. Secondly, we may know that God truly cares about us and is interested in our well-being. The judge in our parable exclaimed, “She is wearing me out.” He responds not so much out of care, but to avoid public shame. God never treats us in this way, however. Rather, He loves us and patiently listens to us (18:7). Thirdly, we should remain steadfast in our prayers for “His kingdom to come and His will to be done” (cf. Luke 11:2). True believers will wait with patient trust. Our hearts tell us, “He will return.”

1. It is the “between time” that often unnecessarily leads Christians to despair. Remember always that “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” does not end Psalm 23. Do not place a period at any point along the sentence where the main verb is your trial. Pray today, in your difficulty, “I fear no evil, for You are with me.” Write down your statement of trust in the Lord and review it when doubts swirl around you.

2. For Families: We hope that, when your children go out your door to school or play each day, you encourage their hearts in some special way. This is a great passage. It helps us to focus on Christ’s trustworthiness, no matter what circumstances bring into our lives.

Do you have a particular way to encourage your kids when they are going through hard times? Maybe they would enjoy a “shoe leather” Secret Weapon Message. Share these principles above to help them to live faithfully. Then provide a permanent marker and ask them if they would like to write a message to their own hearts on the soles of their shoes. Invite them to write, “Stand Firm. Trust” on one shoe, and “Stand Firm. Pray” on the other. No one will be able to see it, but your kids will be walking on these great truths all day and remembering the Great God who is with them!

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock