As I was thinking about ‘justice’ and looking through my Bible this morning, I came across the following passage in Luke. I’ve read it before, but I think the Lord was reminding me to keep praying ~ to seek justice through prayer for slaves, orphans, the poor, the oppressed ~ all who are suffering from injustice.
1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)
Why do I struggle so much with praying consistently? Is it discouragement, lack of faith, laziness? Probably all three. Yet Jesus said to always pray and not lose heart. So, I am reminded and encouraged by this passage to press on and keep praying. There are so many people to pray for.
God does give justice. He hears the prayers of His people. I am thankful.
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4).
“I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy” (Psalm 140:12).
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause” (Isaiah 1:17).