Grant me Justice!

Last night as I was ready to go to bed, I felt led to read Luke 18:1-8, which reads like this:

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ (New International Version)

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. (King James Version)

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 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? 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?” (New International Version)

During my morning devotional today, I was once again led to read the scripture above. The following message is a result of what I felt in my heart regarding this parable, in relation to the times we are living in.

Jesus shared this parable with His disciples for them and us to understand the importance of praying and not giving up with the petitions or pleas we raise during our prayer. 

The example Jesus gave them was of a judge who did not fear God, nor cared of what people thought of him. In other words, this judge could have easily been seen as ruthless. A ruthless person is one that shows no mercy, is heartless, unflexible, and might even be unsympathetic. These and many other descriptors provide a more clear picture of how a ruthless person can be.

However, the persistent widow kept going to the unwavering judge with a specific plea. Her plea was ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 

This message relates to us because we are being encouraged to not throw the towel in and stop praying! DO NOT STOP PRAYING! God will bring about justice in every area of our lives! 

He chose us first! It is His desire we be set free to be a witness in the world! What must we do?

Cry out to Him day and night! Consistently! Persistently! 

When we come to the throne of the Father, our Abba Father, we come with faith, believing that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. 

He is dispatching angels that carry justice in those areas we are crying out for justice. Now! It is being done! Speak your plea out! Expect it to be granted!

Jesus encouraged His disciples and through this parable, he encourages everyone, so that we should always pray and not give up. 

When Jesus comes back, will He find faith? Before the following parable found in Luke 18:9, this is the question we find. Will Jesus find faith? You might wonder what relevance that question has with the verses before it. Let me explain. 

Jesus had been sharing about the need to pray and not quit the times of prayer due to "unanswered petitions" or simply due to maybe, times of testing. The example given was that of the widow, whom persistently went back to the judge, and eventually, was given that which had many times been denied. She persisted and obtained that which she asked for. 

Since the judge did not want to be worn down from the insistence of the widow, he finally gave in to her request. However, there were two things this widow did:

1. Went to the source of the one that could fix her situation.
2. Continually sought for the judge's resolution in her favor. 

She never stopped believing she would obtain her request...otherwise she would have thrown the towel in, and would have stopped from going to the judge. She persisted, and eventually got her reward. 

Just as the widow asked for with consistency, so must we pray. The question is: will Jesus find faith? What are those things we have lost faith in? Have we stopped seeking Him for answers? 

As time progresses and this age comes closer to its end, I sense there seems to be stronger strongholds that are fighting against God's chosen ones to step up in prayer. Those strongholds are wearing God's chosen ones down, in such a way that it is debilitating! 

If you have felt the need to pray BUT feel tired, beat tired, and even when you start praying, there seems to be nothing substantial that comes out as you speak...then know the enemy of your soul has placed a stronghold to your prayer. 

Today is the day for that stronghold to be broken off! Break that stronghold off in the Name of Jesus! Speak it in the authority given to you in His Name!

Prayer:

"Father God, I come to You as your son/daughter. I repent for backsliding in my times of prayer. I trust that You are the One who delivers me from the enemy's trap. Today, You send angels that deliver me from any oppressing spirit, and it is cast into dry places, so that I come out an overcomer. 

I trust that You are my shield, my strength, and my ever-present help. In faith, I speak this believing that my times of fresh outpouring in Your Presence come again, renewed. 

I love You, my Lord Jesus. Thank You for delivering me and setting me back on the path I should be. Today I seek You and I find You. 

As Your word says in Hebrews 11:6, I come to You in faith, and I believe that You are my rewarder as I diligently seek You. 

                                                                   Amen.