THE STRUGGLE OF DISAPPOINTMENT

Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.  Luke 18:1 NIV

What does one do with disappointment?  Prayers not answered.  People hurting us, one another, and such.  Cancer coming back.  A beloved family member moving away.  A loved one succumbing to illness.

All the while, you, as a faithful believer, praying for a different outcome.  You agonized with God.  You cried out repeatedly for healing, restoration, revival, a different answer than the one given or shown.

Jesus knew we would have these times and these situations and He addressed them with a story, for that is what a parable is – a relatable story using familiar objects and situations to drive home a valuable Truth.

In the parable of the persistent widow (found in Luke 18:1-8), Jesus tells us about a widow who relentlessly irritates an unrighteous, ungodly judge.  She’s begging for justice against her adversary.

With just this information – can you relate?

Yes.  A thousand times yes.

Have you been falsely accused before and no matter what you said or did, it was dismissed?  Have you done all the ‘right’ things, only to have some pretty horrible things come your way?

Distressing, I know.  But how do we get beyond them and not get bitter?  How do we hold on in faith, reading and hearing –

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28  NIV

This is not a Band-Aid we slap on an open gaping wound with gangrene.  Nor should we say this to someone who is experiencing severe trials.  It’s salt and it stings beyond compare. Yes, it is true, but using wisdom to say truth is just as important as the truth itself.

I go back to the words of Jesus – always pray and not give up.

Have you ever been told to not use superlatives: always, never, easiest, hardest, etc.?  And yet Jesus uses one.  Always.  Always what?  Always pray.

He knew there would be answers to prayer we don’t understand, didn’t ask for, or long-time prayers which seemingly go unanswered for days, months, years, decades.

What’s interesting is how this parable ends – the widow does not leave the judge alone.  She follows him everywhere.  She asks the same thing every time.  At the store, in the streets, to his neighbors, to his wife, children, friends:

“Grant me justice from my adversary.”  (Luke 18:3)

She did not change her tune, her mind, her strategy.  She relentlessly became the dripping faucet in this man’s life.

And the incredible part of this parable – the judge gives her what she wants because of her persistence.  Jesus tells us this judge was not God-fearing, or even cared about people, but because of her nagging, he relents and grants her justice.

This shows us tenacity needs to be in our prayer closet.  The widow did not change her ask, she just asked.  She did not come up with a certain formula, hold her mouth just right, nor even put on bells and whistles to be noticed.  It was just her presence and her persistent words.

Okay, all well and good.  But what do we say about our loved ones who still die from cancer?  Or that one friend who back bites and betrays then gossips?  What about the need for an urgent answer about a job, a move, a situation seemingly out of your control but it affects every area of your life – like a bowl of spaghetti?

It boils down to faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please God.  Hebrews 11:6a  NIV

Faith is believing what God says He will do, He will do.  It is holding on even when we don’t understand, like it, or want to give up.  It is surrender.

Let me say that again.  It is surrender.

Notice it is not giving up, but willingly laying down of one’s rights to let another have His way.

The widow did not know how the judge would answer, if he ever would.  She kept pursuing him with her request.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not know they would come out on the other side of that fiery furnace unburnt and whole (see Daniel 3).  The disciples did not know Jesus would walk on water in their storm to help them, all they knew is they were told by Jesus to get to the other side of the lake (see Matthew 14:22-36).

God will allow circumstances in our lives to take the sharp corners off, to soften our hearts, to increase our faith and to get us to a place of finally letting go of self-reliance.

Are you ready and willing to let Him? Again?

PRAYER

Lord, these are hard things to read, understand and accept. As You know, I have disappointments in my life in which I have pleaded with You for answers. I am that widow, pursuing You for justice from my adversaries (which are __________________). Even though I do not see a way out, I will keep coming back with this ask until You answer and grant me justice. Grant me my heart's desire. You say Lord, that You satisfy our desires with good things (Psalm 103:5), help me see the good things. Help me to hold the good things. Help me to have faith to keep coming back to You, my loving heavenly Father.