Desperate

Jan 25, 2022

"...this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!."

- A Judge, Luke 18:5 (paraphrased)

"God has no grandchildren. Each generation must experience God for themselves… authentically, genuinely, personally."

- Anonymous

God the Father answers the prayers of desperate people. When my son, Tyler, was playing baseball at Point Loma Nazarene University, there was a rare occasion when he experienced a severe drought at the plate. I mean, he could not buy a hit. And he was doing everything right… investing hours in the batting cage, hitting off a tee, devouring Tony Gwynn's book on "The Art of Hitting," seeking counsel from coaches and players, and praying, "Jesus, just help me get a hit, any hit, for my team." Until… and I remember the moment well… after going 0 for 16, Tyler finally hit two little "squibblers" off an Azusa Pacific pitcher. After the game, Ty came up to me, laughed, and said, "Dad, Jesus knew I couldn't take it anymore!"

Question: Do you believe that? Do you believe that Jesus not only knows when you reach your limit, but actually steps in at just the right moment to do something about it?

In Luke 18, Jesus tells a story to convince us in spades that that's exactly what He does! It's called the story of the "Persistent Widow" - but I think "persistent" is just a nice word for "crazy!" The truth is, this woman in the story is crazy intense. She is desperate! She has experienced an injustice in life and has set it passionately and persistently before this judge, and she refuses to take "No!" for an answer.

Jesus doesn't tell us what the injustice was that she experienced. Maybe the violent sex offender who abused her daughter is still walking the streets of her village. Maybe the drunk driver who put her son in a wheelchair still has not been brought to justice. Maybe the insurance company that has refused to pay for her mom's surgery has yet to be held accountable. We don't know what the injustice was for her… but you know what it is for you…

...an impossible situation that hasn't improved...

...an impossible person that hasn't changed...

...a chronic pain that hasn't lifted...

...a stubborn illness that hasn't healed...

...a broken heart that hasn't mended...

...a lingering sadness that hasn't gone away...

...a failing marriage that hasn't turned around...

And Jesus is saying to you, "Be like this crazy woman. Don't quit. Don't stop. Be persistent. Your request is right!"

And this judge knew it… so he finally granted her request and gave her justice. Jesus honors tenacity in desperation. Think about…

...the prostitute who crashed a party at Simon the Religious Guy's house just to thank Jesus for His grace by washing his feet...

...the IRS fella who climbed a Sycamore tree in his Ralph Lauren suit just to get a better glimpse of Jesus...

...The four guys who ripped a hole in your roof just to lower their sick friend down before the presence of Jesus who just happened to be visiting you...

...and now this crazy woman who would not take "No!" for an answer from this judge...

Jesus honors desperate people who defy protocols with bold measures, persistent prayers, and crazy actions that keep our personal injustices before the heart of our Merciful and Compassionate Judge. In verses 6-8, Jesus draws a contrast between this judge in our story and God the Father when He says,

"Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don't you think God will surely give justice to His chosen people who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will grant them justice..."

So let me ask you… Where is your point of desperation today? How persistent are you for the blessing? How bold are you for the miracle? How relentless are you for the breakthrough? How long will you keep knocking on that door of opportunity in prayer and petition before Jesus? Remember… "Crazy" begets "Crazy."