Let’s read that interesting portion. “Then He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: ‘There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city, and she came to him, saying, Get justice for me from my adversary. And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ Then the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?’” (NKJV)

Verse 1 gives us the main lesson in this parable: “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” This would apply to all prayers but in this particular instance the Lord is speaking specifically of praying for deliverance from our adversaries. The Lord often uses simple examples from everyday life to make His point. In this example we have a poor woman being oppressed by someone and she appeals to a judge to deliver her. He is heartless and unmoved by her appeals but when she continues to state her case he eventually gives in and avenges her adversary. The Lord then teaches His disciples (and us!) that if an unjust judge breaks down and defends the widow because of her persistent cries for help, a just and loving God will surely act to defend His elect children when they continually cry out to Him. So, dear fellow-believer, may we be encouraged through this parable to “continue in prayer” (Colossians 4:2) and not lost heart, for our faithful God and Father will indeed deliver us from our adversaries in due time.

We should note that though this principle (of God acting in behalf of His oppressed children who pray for deliverance from their enemies) holds true in all ages, this teaching is especially relevant for God’s elect people who will be passing through the coming Tribulation Period. This is confirmed by verse 8 where the Lord Jesus says, “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.” During the Tribulation Period the saints of God (a “Jewish Remnant) will be persecuted by the Beast and the Antichrist (see Revelation 13:1-15) and God will, in time, “avenge their adversaries.” Even those who are martyred for their faith will be praying from heaven for God to “avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth (Revelation 6:9-10), yet in verse 11 we read, “they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” As soon as the last martyr “seals his testimony with his blood,” the Lord Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords to “avenge them speedily” (see Revelation 19:11-16 and 2nd Thessalonians 1:6-8).

We would be remiss if we didn’t comment on the Lord’s last words in verse 8, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Perhaps the Lord is saying, “Will I find the kind of faith illustrated by the poor widow who persistently cried out for help?” If this is what the Lord was really asking, then the answer is YES, for as we have seen there will be a faithful Jewish Remnant crying out to God to “avenge their blood.” If they are praying this prayer from heaven, we can surely believe those on earth are praying for the same deliverance from their enemies. Most people on earth will be “faithless,” but by God’s grace there will be those who put their faith in a just God who will avenge them be judging their adversaries.  (358.5)  (DO)