CHURCH THEN AND NOW
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • Rss
  • Home
  • About
  • Topics
    • Biblical Reflections
    • Comments on Culture
    • Hopes for the Church
    • Off the Cuff
    • Relevant Books
    • Ministry Thriving
    • Pietism Today
    • DMini
    • Guest Contributor
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • Fuller Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry

Cries of the Heart-Luke 18:1-8

Posted on October 14, 2007 by Kurt in Biblical Reflections 1 Comment
Home» Biblical Reflections » Cries of the Heart-Luke 18:1-8

One does not have to live very long, being in touch with the heartaches of life before we utter the cry: God help me! Whether it is an issue related to our church ministry, or a disappointment in a relationship, or a dashed dream, or a medical situation, at times in our lives we feel helpless, maybe victimized, but certainly seeing hope wane. In this darkened moments, we are ready to give up.

Jesus tells this parable about a persistent person who demands justice from a judge. The judge doesn’t care about people nor God, but loves peace and quiet. So for no good reason other than the hope for silence, the judge offers help to the woman.

In telling this parable, Jesus is saying: see this uncaring judge, how even he gave in to this plea, so how much more will your Father hear your cries and come to your aid.

Jesus presents this parable to his disciples, to those who are learning to pray—your kingdom come. He is teaching his disciples, including us, that we are to be people who keep seeking God, keeping turning to God, keep expecting God to work.

It is not always easy. Often when we offer cries of the heart there is a great deal of delay before a resolution. When we are helpless, when we are victimized, we want answers now! Patience is often not an observed virtue. And we wait.

Jesus lived a prayerful life. Luke 6:12 notes that Jesus prayed all night long. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed so intensily that he broke out in to a bloody sweat. Prayer, an enlivened relationship with God, characterized Jesus’ life.

So he calls us to pray and not to give up.

When we are up against the hardships and heartaches of life, often we pray God help me; God how much more; God when will you intervene? (See Psalm 44:22ff.) Jesus is calling us to a place of ruthless and restful trust.

Jesus is not presenting prayer as a type of slot machine where we keep dropping the quarters and pulling the arm, because our odds get better with each prayer and soon, or at least sometime we will hit the prayer jackpot. Rather, Jesus is calling us to put our lives in the hands of the Father, knowing that he loves us and that he will come though.

The Psalmist says:
Psa. 121 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made the heavens and the earth!
He will not let you stumble and fall;
the one who watches over you will not sleep.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never tires and never sleeps.
The LORD himself watches over you!
The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not hurt you by day,
nor the moon at night.
The LORD keeps you from all evil
and preserves your life.
The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.

This is the stance from which we live.

Share
  • Jamie

    Trials and suffering reveal our true heart like no other medium. Our facades are ripped off and we see ourseleves and what we are truly trusting in – the One true God or a false god. I have been in a crucible this year like no other time of my life and at times I have seen the weakness of my faith and other times I have experienced God carrying me through the fire. He and His Word have become more precious to me in this fiery time like no other time of my life. I would change the circumstances in an instant but not the ensuing results. Would I wish these circumstances on anyone -NO!, but I would hope that everyone could know the LORD God in a deeper way. I just don’t think the human character willingly seeks the LORD without the nudge of suffering.

Categories

  • Biblical Reflections (40)
  • Comments on Culture (49)
  • DMini (2)
  • Hopes for the Church (106)
  • Ministry Thriving (3)
  • Off the Cuff (69)
  • Pietism Today (19)
  • Relevant Books (23)
  • Uncategorized (10)

Recent Comments

  • Mark Baker-Wright on Reclaiming Pietism–Hallmark #9: Ecumenical Christianity
  • Maria Smith on Contact
  • Maria Smith on The Cycles of Pastoral Ministry

© 2017 Church Then And Now - Web Design by JLOFT