NEED DELIVERANCE? TRY GOD!
The "disconsolate widow" is a story that Jesus teaches about the plain power of an impoverished widow- woman's persistent, daily, prayers for just relief from an unjust judge.
She had neither wealth, nor respect in her land, but she did still have a voice. With it, she worked; with it she prayed; with her voice, she cried out day and night for justice unto to this unjust judge--the man who had the power--who could, and, who did, give her that justice.
He gave justice to the poor widow woman, just so that he might have his own personal peace from her persistence in loud prayers both day and night; not because big he feared either God or man, but to that he might shut her loud mouth! So, to relieve at last her --and his--disconsolate waiting condition, her own pressing discomfort, her hurt, he fully granted her daily petitions.
Luke 18:1-8, sets this parable forth in all of its simplicity, efficacy, and beauty. The key verse is Lk 18:7, which asks the reader directly:
"And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?"
But, of course! surely! Surely!
"I tell you he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?" Lk 18:8.
This widow woman's parable came to mind as I read last night in the book NARRATIVE OF SOJOURNER TRUTH (2013), which was dictated to Olive Gilbert, her companion:
"For some time subsequent to the happy change we have spoken of, Isabella's prayers partook largely of their former character ; and while, in deep affliction, she labored for the recovery of her son, she prayed with constancy and fervor; and the following may be taken as a specimen :--
"'Oh, God, you know how much I am distressed, for I have told you again and again. Now, God, help me get my son. If you were in trouble, as I am, and I could help you, as you can me, think I wouldn't do it? Yes, God, you 'know ' I would do it. Oh, God, you know I have no money, but you can make the people do for me, and you must make the people do for me. I will never give you peace till you do, God. Oh, God, make the people hear me--don't let them turn me off, without hearing and helping me.'
"And she had not a particle of doubt, that God heard her, and especially disposed the hearts of thoughtless clerks, eminent lawyers, and grave judges and others--between whom and herself there seemed to her an almost infinite remove --to listen to her suit with patient and respectful attention, backing it up with all needed aid. The sense of her nothingness in the eyes of those with whom she contended for her rights, sometimes fell on her like a heavy weight, which nothing but an unwavering confidence in an arm which she believed to be stronger than all others combined could have raised from her sinking spirit... And this perfect trust , based on the rock of Deity, was a soul-protecting fortress, which, raising her above the battlements of fear, and shielding her from the machinations of the enemy, impelled her onward in the struggle, till the foe was vanquished, and the victory gained."
P. 64-65
There are important lessons here for all people of faith in 2017; for all of those other penniless persons, widowed or not, who are similarly disposed to the speedy receipt their own "justice," as was the widow woman, as was Sojourner Truth! Any "justice" that is too-long delayed, too-long deferred, too-long deterred, by a seemingly implacably foe, can be delivered by God! Since "God is! God works! God relieves the steadfast in faith and works directed to such ends."
Amen 🙏
Friday, October 6, 2017
TRY GOD!
NEED DELIVERANCE? TRY GOD!
The "disconsolate widow" is a story that Jesus teaches about the plain power of an impoverished widow- woman's persistent, daily, prayers for just relief from an unjust judge.
She had neither wealth, nor respect in her land, but she did still have a voice. With it, she worked; with it she prayed; with her voice, she cried out day and night for justice unto to this unjust judge--the man who had the power--who could, and, who did, give her that justice.
He gave justice to the poor widow woman, just so that he might have his own personal peace from her persistence in loud prayers both day and night; not because big he feared either God or man, but to that he might shut her loud mouth! So, to relieve at last her --and his--disconsolate waiting condition, her own pressing discomfort, her hurt, he fully granted her daily petitions.
Luke 18:1-8, sets this parable forth in all of its simplicity, efficacy, and beauty. The key verse is Lk 18:7, which asks the reader directly:
"And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?"
But, of course! surely! Surely!
"I tell you he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?" Lk 18:8.
This widow woman's parable came to mind as I read last night in the book NARRATIVE OF SOJOURNER TRUTH (2013), which was dictated to Olive Gilbert, her companion:
"For some time subsequent to the happy change we have spoken of, Isabella's prayers partook largely of their former character ; and while, in deep affliction, she labored for the recovery of her son, she prayed with constancy and fervor; and the following may be taken as a specimen :--
"'Oh, God, you know how much I am distressed, for I have told you again and again. Now, God, help me get my son. If you were in trouble, as I am, and I could help you, as you can me, think I wouldn't do it? Yes, God, you 'know ' I would do it. Oh, God, you know I have no money, but you can make the people do for me, and you must make the people do for me. I will never give you peace till you do, God. Oh, God, make the people hear me--don't let them turn me off, without hearing and helping me.'
"And she had not a particle of doubt, that God heard her, and especially disposed the hearts of thoughtless clerks, eminent lawyers, and grave judges and others--between whom and herself there seemed to her an almost infinite remove --to listen to her suit with patient and respectful attention, backing it up with all needed aid. The sense of her nothingness in the eyes of those with whom she contended for her rights, sometimes fell on her like a heavy weight, which nothing but an unwavering confidence in an arm which she believed to be stronger than all others combined could have raised from her sinking spirit... And this perfect trust , based on the rock of Deity, was a soul-protecting fortress, which, raising her above the battlements of fear, and shielding her from the machinations of the enemy, impelled her onward in the struggle, till the foe was vanquished, and the victory gained."
P. 64-65
There are important lessons here for all people of faith in 2017; for all of those other penniless persons, widowed or not, who are similarly disposed to the speedy receipt their own "justice," as was the widow woman, as was Sojourner Truth! Any "justice" that is too-long delayed, too-long deferred, too-long deterred, by a seemingly implacably foe, can be delivered by God! Since "God is! God works! God relieves the steadfast in faith and works directed to such ends."
Amen 🙏