The Unjust Judge

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Monday January 21, 2008

Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)
1. Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 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 about men, 5. yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"
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?"

This is one of the most misinterpreted parables in the Bible. Most people interpret it to mean that you should keep asking God for something until you get it! But the last statement Jesus made on the subject tells us that couldn't possibly be true: "However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Faith believes you have received the FIRST time you asked, and therefore does NOT ask any more!

Mark 11:24 (NIV) (Jesus speaking)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

If you believe you HAVE RECEIVED something, then you will obviously NOT ask for it again! To ask again would just be showing that you DIDN'T believe the FIRST time you asked!

So what did Jesus mean in Luke 18?

First of all, Jesus gives an example of an UNJUST judge; a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men! That means He was NOT talking about God! Jesus' point was that if even this UNJUST judge would eventually cave in and give in response to a request, how much MORE would GOD, who LOVES us and cares about us!!

So what does it mean then to "pray and not give up"??

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Notice that when you make a request of God, THANKSGIVING is part of the deal! That's because if you BELIEVE you HAVE received what you asked for (Mark 11:24), then you will GIVE THANKS TO GOD for it, even though you don't physically have it yet, because you BELIEVE you already HAVE it!

That's Bible faith:

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your Word, which is alive and active; sharper than any double-edged sword. Help me by faith and confession to remove the barriers that have hemmed me in. Help me remember to always trust Your Word and keep my words in line with what You say even when circumstances don't seem to agree with You.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

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