080 Stories of the Kingdom: Ready, Willing, and Able
We are told right from the start why Jesus told this story. He wanted to motivate His followers to pray and never give up.
In this story, there are two characters. First, there’s a widow. In the Bible, the widow symbolizes one who is weak and helpless, utterly devoid of power or resources. .
The widow in our story was being harassed by some sort of adversary. Perhaps he was trying to intimidate her or exploit her. Whatever the case, she had no means of protection and was in a bad way.
Enter the second character: the judge. Jesus described him as one who “neither feared God nor cared what people thought.”
But this widow is determined to get his attention and gain his favor. She keeps pestering him until he finally gives in and grants her request.
Now at first blush, it would seem that the moral of this story is… it pays to pester!
So, hearing this story, people conclude: “We’re like this widow – helpless and harassed. And we need help from the Judge. And God is like the Judge – only nicer. But He’s busy with big problems, so I better not bother Him unless it’s really important.
“But when it IS important, then I need to do what the widow did…and pester Him! I’ll start banging on the doors of heaven. I’ll call my friends to join me in a corporate pestering assault. Eventually, through sheer persistence, we’ll wrench a blessing from the hands of a God who doesn’t really have the time or interest.”
Friends, that explanation couldn’t be more wrong! This story is NOT an allegory. Rather, it is a brilliantly constructed study in contrasts.
His point is, if this sort of judge gives this sort of help to this sort of person, how much more will your Father give all kinds of help to you?
He gives us three prerequisites we need to understand if we hope to keep praying and not give up.
1. We need to understand our identity.
The needy widow of our story was in a bad way – abandoned and forgotten. But if you have come to faith in Christ and embraced Him as your forgiver and leader, you have become God’s child!
You are not forgotten or abandoned. You are a son or daughter of Almighty God – with all the rights and privileges thereof – wonderfully cherished and passionately loved. As a result, the King of the universe is thrilled with your presence and delighted to hear of your needs. No one’s voice sounds sweeter to God than yours.
2. We need to understand God’s inclination.
Don’t think for a minute that you have to concoct some way to wrench a blessing from some tight-fisted miser. From cover to cover, the Bible tells of a God who loves to give good things to His children.
Understanding God’s heart also helps when the answer is NO. A loving Father sometimes says NO or not now or not in that way. If we have learned to trust his heart toward us and his sovereignty, the NO’s are easier to take.
3. We need to understand the invitation.
You are supremely important to God. He’s thrilled with your presence. He’s predisposed to your good. He delights in pouring out resources for your needs. You don't have to moan and groan, snivel and grovel. Just ask. He is ready, willing, and able to meet with you and partner with you.
Text: Luke 18:1-8
Originally recorded August 9, 2009, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.