1 Sam. 4-6
In 1 Sam 4:3, the people of Israel were losing to the Philistines in battle. They decided to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD on site, hoping that might turn the tide in their favor. The ESV translation says, “…that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.”, with a note that “it” might also be translated as “he”. When I read the verse with the word “it”, it made me wonder where the Israelites were really placing their hope – in the symbol of God’s presence, or in God Himself? And isn’t it just like us humans to call for God after we find ourselves in a tight spot rather than seeking Him before we ever take action? Whatever the case was in this situation, it did not go well for the Israelites.
Of course, it did not go well for the Philistines, either, and they ultimately sent the ark back to Israel. It seems, though, that many of the men who received the ark back from the Philistines did not treat it with the reverence God demanded. They were struck down, “because they looked upon the ark of the LORD.” As it then states in I Sam 6:20, “Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God?”. Who indeed? Thank God, by His grace, we are able to not only stand before Him, but to call Him Abba, Father, because of the great gift of His Son, Jesus Christ!
Luke 18:1-23
In Luke 18:1-7, Jesus tells the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow. He makes the point in vs 7 & 8 that God will give speedy justice to His elect and will not delay long over them. I take some issue with the words “speedy” and “will not delay long”. It is pretty evident that God does not act per our definition of those terms! And if He did, what would be the need to cry out “day and night”?
Furthermore, if God’s justice was per our definition of “speedy”, then surly the question posed in verse 8 would be irrelevant. But that question, ‘Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” suggests perseverance. And perseverance, by definition, requires a time element. There is nothing “speedy” about developing perseverance. If we get speedy results, we don’t need to persevere.
Perhaps these terms are relative to a much larger time period than what we in our short breath of a lifespan tend to see. Or perhaps they are more descriptive of how God’s justice will be executed than when. But one thing is certain in Jesus’ words – Justice will be done for God’s elect. So hold fast, have faith, and don’t lose heart. Let us persevere through prayer in whatever comes our way that God might find us faithful at the end.