Luke 18:2-8 (NIV) 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!'” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 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? 8 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?”
To gain some relevance from this story, it might be helpful to approach it from the perspective of the widow. Her defense, her provider had been lost to death, and she had become vulnerable to the attacks of those intent on taking advantage of her weakened state. She was desperately in need of help from a power greater than herself in correcting this wrong against her. Instead of just enduring or attempting to defend herself, she believed in the ability of a stoic and uncaring man who was simply in a legal position to do exactly what her situation required – engage forces greater than herself to right the wrong. Because she was truly convinced beyond any doubt that this man held the keys to her relief, she could not rest until her persistent requests were rewarded in his relenting with served justice. If she had been unsure of what he could or would do, her requests would have ceased long before his consent was given. Where there was faith, however, there would be evidence in the unceasing requests made. This faith would produce the justice her soul longed for, in spite of the judge’s indifference.
In God there is power and desire to render total justice with restoration. Unlike the unjust judge, He passionately cares about not only the thoughts, but the complete condition of all those He loves. To bring justice against the many adversaries in life, He truly holds the keys to relief from their attacks. The experience of His justice, though, is in need of a heart moved by belief to simply make a request. While Jesus’ story could seem to imply that an extended length of continued importunacy is required for justice to be rendered, possibly its true purpose is to reveal what will inevitably occur in the one who truly believes. The more God is seen as the provider of justice, the more requests will continue uninterrupted until the wrong is made right. Instead of looking to other entities as a solution, full discovery of the Almighty as the only hope directs all attention and expectation to Him alone. The faith Jesus questions upon His return is uncompromised conviction of the Master’s justice evidenced in unrelenting requests from believing hearts. With time and disappointment there is an opportunity for this belief to wane. Where fixed looking is to Jesus, however, the substance and maintenance of faith will be kept for however long is necessary until the much-needed justice is received. Rather than time being a hindrance, it can instead be an enhancement of relationship with the just and loving Father God in the face of Christ. In every advancement to the throne of grace with a request for justice, there is an opportunity for immediate gratification in the presence of the One from whom all blessings flow. As challenges of life result in persistent pursuit of resolution from the Father, faith will be found, along with its relocated mountains and established, unwavering relationship with the just and caring Judge.