And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, “There was in a city a judge, who did not fear God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Avenge me of 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 wearies me.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge says. And shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night to him, although he bears long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.” (Luke 18:1-8) Notice with regard to the character of this judge, that he was one who consciously cared for nothing except his own ease. When at last he consented to do justice, the only motive which moved him, was, “lest by her continual coming she wearies me.” “She stuns me,” might be the Greek word—a kind of slang, I suppose, of that period, meaning lest “she batters me,” “she bruises me,” and as some translate it, “blackens my face with her incessant constant batterings.” That was the kind of language he used; a short quick sentence of indignation at being bothered, as we should say, by such a case as this. The only thing that moved him was a desire to be at ease, and to take things comfortably. Oh brethren, if she could prevail over such a one, how much more shall we succeed with God whose delight it is to take care of his children, who loves them even as the apple of his eye! Charles Spurgeon
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