IS HE YOUR DELIVERER?
by Ronnie Mutina
I did not get to do my devotional yesterday morning simply because I did not take the time to do it. Sometimes I wonder what would happen to me if the LORD just simply did not take the time to pay attention to me. It would be a disaster.
In the book of Luke chapter 18 we find an interesting scenario in verses 1 – 8. Jesus is dealing with Pharisees, as HE did a lot in HIS earthly ministry. He is also showing HIS people what HE would like for them to do.
In the passage I’m studying, Jesus is using an example of a widow who lived under a judge who did not believe in God. She was having a problem and she went to him to help her get rid of her adversary. Now the Bible does not tell us who this adversary was. However, it was enough that she was bothered by it and it may have been to the point it was effecting her lifestyle. In the Bible the word ‘adversary’ means, Satan or opponent in a lawsuit. In this case, it was a lawsuit. What a great picture of Christ this is.
Jesus is actually talking about prayer in this passage. HE was teaching that men ought always to pray, and not faint. (Vs. 1.) This lady had a huge problem and her problem may well have started after her husband died. In that particular time, if a man died and owed somebody money, the one that was owed had the right to take his family and make them a bondsman or slave. We can read in, 2 Kings 4:1 –7, where a woman had lost her husband and he owed a man money. This man wanted her two sons, whom she needed to help her, to pay off their dad’s bills by being a slave to this man until the debt was paid. She went to Elisha, because her husband had been one of his servants. He told gave her a solution to solve her problem, she listened, she obeyed, and then she was able to keep her sons from being slaves. The widow in Luke 18, saw her problem, went to the judge, and asked him for leniency. At first, he refused to give this widow any help. However, apparently the lady kept coming to him and asking him for help. In verse 4 – 5, Jesus said, "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."
What was Jesus trying to say? The word ‘avenges’ means to vindicate. It means to free from allegation or blame; to provide justification or defense; to protect from attack or encroachment: Defend. Jesus used parables all the time to explain to the people that what they needed was standing in front of them; it was HE. Let’s see what else Jesus said in verses 6 – 8. "And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge HIS own elect, which cry day and night unto HIM, though HE bear long with them? I tell you that HE will avenge them speedily, Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall HE find faith on the earth?"
Granted there are a lot of lessons to be learned in the passage. We see that there are five main things Jesus is driving home. I will put them in a short outline here.
Jesus wants HIS children to continue to pray day and night and depend upon HIM.
HE has always wanted us to have a relationship with HIM.
HE was driving the point into the disciple’s heads that it is HIM that is the ultimate judge
HE wants us to know that HE will never leave nor forsake us.
HE wants us to pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Jesus wants HIS children to know that HE is the avenger.
HE is the vindicator.
HE is the one that brings forth justification.
HE is the only one that can forgive us of our debt to GOD.
HE is the defender; and HE will be there, always
Jesus wants to know if there will be faith when HE comes back to get us.
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen." Hebrews 11:1
Jesus was concerned that people would not be faithful in their prayers.
This widow was constantly asking this church to help her.
She was faithful in her request.
James 5:16 tells us, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Jesus wants you to know that HE avenges quickly. Vs. 7 - 8
The judge was slow to answer this widow’s request.
He only answered it to keep her from bothering her.
The Lord will answer prayers according to HIS will.
With Jesus in our corner, we cannot lose.
Jesus justifies by HIS blood that HE shed on the cross.
He will not lead us to something without carrying us through it.
Will HE find faith when HE returns?
Jesus showed HIS disciples how to depend on HIM.
He wants us to depend on HIM for everything.
He wants to be our deliverer from sin.
He wants to be our avenger.
Is HE you deliverer? HE is the only one who can deliver you from your sins. HE is not the one who looks down HIS noise at you. HE loves you and wants to save you. The faith that this widow showed was enormous. She was faithful to continue going to this judge, and even though he did not fear God he did avenge this widow. Jesus has a desire to avenge each and every person, but we first have to put our faith in HIM.
Child of God, it is imperative that we remain faithful to HIM and we try to reach a lost and dying world. Jesus will not ever leave nor forsake us, we have HIS WORD on it. Let’s pray and not faint. Talk to the Lord and let HIM be your guide.
