God has a cure for weary hearts. Jesus told a parable to this end, “that people ought always to pray, and not to faint”. He told of a widow who pleaded with a judge for justice. The unjust judge, to avoid being continually pestered by the woman, finally admitted, “Though I do not fear God, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her lest by her continual coming she wearies me” (Luke 18:5).
There are two words for “weary” in this parable. The first describes the widow. She’s “exhausted” with injustice. The second word describes the unjust judge. The widow’s constant coming was like a boxer’s jab, “a blow under the eye”.
This gives us insight to two important truths. Prayer isn’t just releasing steam, it’s power. Spending time with the Lord infuses us with new strength, just as He promised… “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…” (Isaiah 40:31). Secondly, our prayers are “blows” to the injustices (and unjust judges) of this world.
Our weariness at evil is a call to pray which we mustn’t put off. Our prayers will not go unanswered, so pray God-sized prayers that mean business for the Kingdom of God. We’re in a war for souls, let’s not pray feather-duster prayers. The Lord promises, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you: He will avenge them speedily.”
The promise of daily renewal through prayer and time in God’s Word, is one of the best, most dependable, realities in our Christian lives… “Though the outward body decays, yet the inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
What a gift!
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