'However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?'
In a parable about a persistent widow Jesus describes a god-less, arrogantly dis-compassionate judge who inevitably is willing to see that the widows hopes and requests for justice are fulfilled.
If such a judge is able to show mercy, isn't God all the more eager and capable of doing so for His people, the body of Christ?
Jesus even has the guts to say that God will answer our prayers 'Quickly!'
Jesus said quickly....But He follows up with a sobering clarification - Jesus quickly defines 'quickly' as = 'when the Son of Man comes...' Everyone will receive a Divine response to their prayers, particularly injustice, without fail but true fulfillment is in Christs return.
Several notes about this parable:
1) Ask, seek, knock - without a bitter and defeated soul, in hope and trust, plead with God to your hearts desire and beyond. Persevere in your prayer life as the widow did.
2) Keep watch - He will answer our righteous prayers, it's what He desires...keep you're eyes, ears, hands and heart open expecting a response just as the widow waited for a response daily from the judge - it's His timing that matters.
3) Ultimately, all injustice will be wiped away and all prayers answered when Jesus finally and holistically redeems His people around the world to Himself.
4) Jesus finally says what He is looking for in the widow (and ultimately the earth) - faith. The believer prays assuming God will answer. In their continued prayers they diligently watch for the Lord to act. Yet their hope isn't in 1 or 1000 answered prayers...the believers hope and faith are in Jesus and His promise of redemption...final redemption. Will He find faith on earth?
Ask, watch, hope.
Luke 18:1-8
