Never Give Up or Lose Heart

In everyday life we are confronted with a variety of issues: some are easy to deal with and other are difficult. When we have a decision to make sometimes we conclude that the easy path is the best course of action. However, have you ever considered that the more challenging, the more difficult is really the best choice?

Solution: God’s Word reminds us that we are constantly in need of his grace, which he supplies abundantly in his Son. This moves us to pray for help, in every situation. The Gospel also assures us that God takes delight in showing love and mercy to his chosen ones as they entreat him. This moves us to pray with persistence, confident of his timely response.

Today all three of our readings deals something difficult, never giving up or losing heart. In the OT reading Jacob wrestles with “a man” who is really God, and prevails. As a result, God changes Jacob’s name to “Israel”, because “he wrestled with God and prevailed.” In the Epistle Reading St. Paul encourages Timothy never to give up, especially at the time when people will no longer tolerate sound doctrinal teaching, and where Timothy will have to endure hardships because of the Gospel. And our Gospel reading also encourages us never to give up when we pray, because, you see, our persistence in prayer is evidence of faith and trust in God.

The Psalm deals with the assurance we have that God will watch over us. The psalmist was absolutely convinced that God would watch over him and would bless him. In the Old Testament Reading, Jacob wrestles a man who turns out to be God. He is persistent in this encounter with God. He does not give up. He keeps wrestling, even with a wrenched hip. Persistence is a theme that also runs through the Epistle. Paul’s charge to Timothy is to be persistent in carrying out his ministry. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching” and instruction (). The charge to Timothy is that he should not give up.

The truth is, God wants us to grow in faith, to place greater trust and confidence in our Him, who promises always to listen to us and answer our prayers when we call upon him. So today Jesus uses a parable to: (1). Teach Us About Prayer; Shows us how He (2). Longs to answer our Prayer; and finally we will learn how we can (3). Pray with confidence.

Rather Than Lose Heart, We Can Pray with Confidence for God’s Righteousness.

Pray Continually and Never Give Up or Lose Heart.

Anxiety concerning the end can cause us to lose heart (vv 1–3).

Jesus Teaches about Prayer

3. Oftentimes, we are like the unjust judge. “It’s not my problem.”

This parable addresses a specific question and a specific concern about the end.

In OT times the gate area of an Israelite city was the central place for commerce and the dispensing of law. Their judges—often the wise elders of the community, had many civic responsibilities—would hear cases and administer justice fairly ().

The question, posed by some Pharisees: “When will the kingdom of God come?” (17:20).

1. The question, posed by some Pharisees: “When will the kingdom of God come?” (17:20).

Deuteronomy 16:18 NASB95

18 “You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.

The concern Jesus shares with his disciples is that “you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it” (17:22).

2. The concern Jesus shares with his disciples is that “you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it” (17:22).

5. Jesus shows us that God longs to bring about justice by the power of his love and grace, and that grace is for all who will receive it.

Jesus speaks of a judge who cared only for himself. He did not fear God, nor did he care about people. Could it be that he was a con artist or wealthy landowner who exploited the poor? His sin of callousness is especially serious because judges were to represent God (cf. the judges in the book of Judges). In fact, the Hebrew word ’elohim, “God, gods” is sometimes used for judges as God’s agents (; , ; Jud 5:8; , ).

B. But this one does not fear God or care about people (v 2).

Jesus speaks of a judge who cared only for himself. He did not fear God, nor did he care about people. Maybe he was a con-artist or wealthy landowner who exploited the poor. His sin of callousness is especially serious because judges were to represent God. In fact, the Hebrew word ’elohim, “God, gods” is sometimes used for judges as God’s agents (; , ; ; , ).

B. Our apparently unfulfilled desire for the end time coming of the kingdom of God is a cause of temptation to “lose heart.”

6. Now that we are the redeemed children of God, we are able to approach our Father with all confidence “as dear children ask their dear father” (Luther’s Small Catechism, p. 19).

Our apparently unfulfilled desire for the end time coming of the kingdom of God is a cause of temptation to “lose heart.”

C. He resents being bothered continually by the widow (v 4).

Selfishness can cause a callous disregard for justice. For example, Judas perverted justice by betraying his Master. When Judas returned the money, selfishness caused the priests to declare, “What is that to us? That’s your responsibility” ().

Selfishness can cause a callous disregard for justice. For example, Judas perverted justice by betraying his Master. When Judas returned the money, selfishness caused the priests to declare, “What is that to us? That’s your responsibility” ().

“Signs” of the coming end continue: “wars and rumors of wars,” nation rising against nation, “famines and earthquakes” ().

Pray Continually and Do Not Lose Heart.

1. “Signs” of the coming end continue: “wars and rumors of wars,” nation rising against nation, “famines and earthquakes” ().

Sermon

2. We know about plenty of each of those! (Give current examples.)

We know about plenty of each of those! (Give current examples.)

In such traumas we continue to pray as taught, “Thy kingdom come”—yet, apparently, to no avail.

Every once in a while you hear about it in the news. Someone is arrested and convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Then years later some new piece of evidence comes to light, and a judge exonerates him after he’s served years behind bars. When we hear a story like this, we often think of how the system failed. Just look at how many years that person spent behind bars, and all along he was innocent!

3. In such traumas we continue to pray as taught, “Thy kingdom come”—yet, apparently, to no avail.

Injustice as we wait for Christ to come and set all things right will further tempt us to cease praying and to lose heart.

C. Injustice as we wait for Christ to come and set all things right will further tempt us to cease praying and to lose heart.

What if you had to look to a judge like the one in today’s parable? A widow comes to him for help, and over and over again, he refuses. The widow then is forced to inundate the judge with requests until he does the right thing and listens to her. The text makes clear that he does the right thing in the end. However, he does the right thing not because he’s had a change of heart, but simply to get rid of the woman.

1. “Give me justice!” (v 3b). (Give specific examples of injustices we see and experience.)

What if you had to look to a judge like the judge in today’s parable? A widow comes to him for help, and over and over again, he refuses. The widow then is forced to inundate the judge with requests until he does the right thing and listens to her. The text makes clear that he does the right thing in the end. However, he does the right thing not because he’s had a change of heart, but simply to get rid of the woman.

“Give me justice!” (v 3b). (Give specific examples of injustices we see and experience.)

This widow in our text is a lot like our children when they want something. You know the routine. “C’mon, Mom, Dad, please! Please let me go! What’ll my friends think if I’m not at the party? My friends won’t think I’m cool anymore if I’m not there. Please! Please! Please, let me go!” And they keep at it and at it. That’s the intensity Jesus is talking about in this text. Don’t give up. Keep at it.

Illustration: Charles Haddon Spurgeon, English Preacher of the 19th Century said of Luther, “Luther’s faith abounded in prayer. Those who heard him pray tell of his tears and wrestlings. He would go into his closet, remain there for an hour or two, and then come out singing, ‘I have conquered. I have conquered.’ One day he said, ‘I have so much to do today that I cannot get through it with less than three hours of prayer.’ This is the faith that lays hold of God and prevails with him in private supplications. ‘The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective’ ().”

Widows in biblical times had no power or economic clout. They were among the weakest, most vulnerable members of society. For this reason, Old Testament law stipulated that the worshiping community care for them (). God’s people were repeatedly warned not to take advantage of the orphans and widows in their midst.

Widows in biblical times had no power or economic clout. They were among the weakest, most vulnerable members of society. For this reason, Old Testament law stipulated that the worshiping community care for them (). God’s people were repeatedly warned not to take advantage of the orphans and widows in their midst.

Unbelievers scoff at what appear to be our ineffectual prayers, just as Elijah mocked unheard prayers to Baal: “Either [Baal] is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep” ().

2. Unbelievers scoff at what appear to be our ineffectual prayers, just as Elijah mocked unheard prayers to Baal: “Either [Baal] is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep” ().

Widows in biblical times had no power or economic clout. They were among the weakest, most vulnerable members of society. For this reason, Old Testament law stipulated that the worshiping community care for them (). God’s people were repeatedly warned not to take advantage of the orphans and widows in their midst.

Deuteronomy 14:28–29 NASB95

28 “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. 29 “The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

3. Mockery may even give way to persecution.

Mockery may even give way to persecution.

We’re not told why this widow goes to the judge. We don’t know what her exact problem was. We’re not given the details.

We’re not told why this widow goes to the judge. We don’t know what her exact problem was. We’re not given the details. What we do know is that this woman went to someone who should have helped her in her quest for justice.

What we do know is that this woman went to someone who should have helped her in her quest for justice.

Jesus is clear about the world’s hatred of his children ().

This widow in our text is a lot like our children when they want something. You know the routine. “C’mon, Mom, Dad, please! Please let me go! What’ll my friends think if I’m not at the party? My friends won’t think I’m cool anymore if I’m not there. Please! Please! Please, let me go!” And they keep at it and at it. That’s the intensity Jesus is talking about in this text. Don’t give up. Keep at it.

a. Jesus is clear about the world’s hatred of his children ().

This widow in our text is a lot like our children when they want something. You know the routine. “C’mon, Mom, Dad, please! Please let me go! What’ll my friends think if I’m not at the party? My friends won’t think I’m cool anymore if I’m not there. Please! Please! Please, let me go!” And they keep at it and at it. That’s the intensity Jesus is talking about in this text. Don’t give up. Keep at it.

But there is more that Jesus wants us to understanding about prayer

He alludes to the possibility of suffering even in the verses immediately preceding the Gospel: “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” (17:33).

2.

b. He alludes to the possibility of suffering even in the verses immediately preceding the Gospel: “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it” (17:33).

Now there is a danger here. You can almost get the sense from the text that prayer is reduced to an act of pestering God until God cries, “Enough!” But the argument Jesus makes here is like the one he makes in the Gospel of Matthew, where he says, “Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” ().

Jesus Illustrates: the Lesser to the Greater.

Now there is a danger here. You can almost get the sense from the text that prayer is reduced to an act of pestering God until God cries, “Enough!” But the argument Jesus makes here is like the one he makes in the Gospel of Matthew, where he says, “Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” ().

Nevertheless, we can pray with confidence because of God’s promise to answer with justice.

There is a danger that one can almost get the sense that prayer is reduced to an act of pestering God until God cries, “Enough!” But the argument Jesus makes here is like the one he makes in the Gospel of Matthew, where he says,

Matthew 7:9–11 NET

9 Is there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?11 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

A. The widow in Jesus’ parable understood this well.

The judge, who neither feared God nor cared about his fellow man, finally does the right thing, like evil parents who can somehow manage to feed their own children.

The theological principle is in the how much more. How much more will God do what is right? When it comes to God, we are assured that He listens and will surely do what is needed for His elect, who cry out to him day and night.

The theological principle is in the how much more. How much more will God do what is right? When it comes to God, we’re assured that God listens and will surely grant justice to the ones who cry out to him day and night.

This parable calls us to pray, to have courage, and to act in faith.

Beyond persistence, this parable calls us to pray, to have courage, and to act in faith.

Timothy to continue in that which he has learned and firmly believes, even while enduring suffering. Likewise, it took courage for that widow, who had nothing, to be persistent in her request.

Picture Jacob, in our Old Testament Reading, wrestling with God through the night. It took courage to refuse to let go until he received a blessing.

encourages Timothy to continue in that which he has learned and firmly believes, even while enduring suffering. It took courage for that widow, who had nothing, to be persistent in her request.

1. She knows injustice—even from the very person whose vocation is to dispense justice. The judge neither fears God nor respects man.

Oftentimes, we are like the unjust judge. “It’s not my problem.”

Or St. Paul encouraging Timothy to continue in that which he has learned and firmly believes, even in the midst of enduring suffering.

\suffering. It took courage for that widow, who had nothing, to be persistent in her request.

Likewise, it took courage for that widow, who had nothing, to be persistent in her request.

Due to the weakness of our faith, we often fail to see the need for God’s timely help, and we don’t pray as persistently as we should.

But, due to the weakness of our faith, we often fail to see the need for God’s timely help, and we don’t pray as persistently as we should.

In our sinfulness, we are a lot like that judge, in that we have no fear of God, nor do we care about anyone other than ourselves.

Through the centuries theologians have often defined sin as being turned-in on one’s self. How many of us, when we see someone in need, turn the other way, not wanting to get involved?

Oftentimes, we are like the unjust judge. “It’s not my problem.”

2. Yet she kept coming to the judge (vv 4–5). She “keeps bothering” him until he feels beaten down by her “continual coming.”

Now as we read this text, many of us like to identify with the persistent widow. But how many of us identify with the judge? There is a part in all of us that is a lot like that judge. Sinful man does not fear God and not to care about anyone other than ourselves.

Theologians throughout the centuries have often defined sin as being turned in on one’s self. How many of us, when we see someone in need, turn the other way? “Oh, it’s not my problem. I don’t want to get involved.” How many of us are oftentimes like this judge and relent only when we see it to be in our best interests?

B. For us, too, despair is not an option.

However, that is not God’s attitude toward us; for,

This woman was persistent even in the face of injustice. She could have given up, but she didn’t. Jesus is teaching us to be persistent and to trust God, even when it appears to be futile.

1. Jesus asks rhetorically, “Will not God give justice to his elect? . . . Will he delay long?” (v 7).

2. And he gives his own clear answer: “I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily” (v 8).

But Jesus often uses parables to teach us more about who he is, and so it is here with this parable.

But Jesus often uses parables to teach us more about who he is, and so it is here with this parable. Where do we see Jesus in this parable? We see him in the persistent widow. In the Gospel, when Jesus relates this parable, he is still outside Jerusalem. He is still some distance from his Passion. Soon, however, he would arrive and experience injustice at the hands of Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod, and crowds of people who would shout, “Crucify him!” Still, even then, Jesus lives the kind of trust he speaks of in this parable. Jesus keeps faith with the One from whom he expects vindication at the end. He keeps faith all the way to Calvary and his death on the cross. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” ().

Where do we see Jesus in this parable? We see him in the persistent widow.

In the Gospel, when Jesus tells this parable, he is still outside Jerusalem. He is still a ways from Holy Week and the Cross.

Soon, however, he would arrive and experience injustice at the hands of Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod, and crowds of people who would shout, “Crucify him!”

Still, even then, Jesus lives the kind of trust he speaks of in this parable. Jesus keeps faith with the One from whom he expects vindication at the end. He keeps faith all the way to Calvary and his death on the cross. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” ().

3. A precise answer to when the Lord will bring justice is not given—but the sure promise that he will permits no doubt or despair. Repent.

God Longs to Answer our Prayer

5. Jesus shows us that God longs to bring about justice by the power of his love and grace, and that grace is for all who will receive it.

a. The woman kept coming without a promise—to an unrighteous judge.

Why does Jesus teaches us to pray continually and never lose heart?

Because His promise is that He will hear and answer His chosen ones.

Yet His answer is not always what we expect. Sometimes the answer to our petition is, “Yes.” Sometimes it’s, “No.” Other times He answers, “Not yet.” Still other times He says, “I have a better idea!” Regardless, God always answers by the power of his love and grace.

And, our God never gives up on us, nor does He lose heart!

You want to understand God’s justice? Well, you first must understand His suffering love, a suffering love that has as its aim to make the sinner whole and the ungodly just. This suffering love is for people like the unjust judge, and it is for you and me as well.

Soon Jesus will arrive in Jerusalem and experience injustice at the hands of Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod, and crowds of people who would shout, “Crucify him!”

In the Gospel, when Jesus tells this parable, he is still outside Jerusalem. He is still a ways from Holy Week and the Cross.

b. How much more, then, can we be confident in bringing our petitions to the righteous Judge who has promised to answer!

Now that we are the redeemed children of God, we are able to approach our Father with all confidence “as dear children ask their dear father.”

Soon, however, he would arrive and experience injustice at the hands of Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod, and crowds of people who would shout, “Crucify him!”

Yet, Jesus never gives up or loses heart and He completes His mission all the way to Calvary and His death on the cross. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (). He does this for you!

Yet, Jesus stays at it all the way to Calvary and His death on the cross. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” ().

Yet, Jesus stays at it all the way to Calvary and His death on the cross. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” ().

Jesus’ completed work on the cross — and faith in Him and that work — is what makes us God’s redeemed children. Now

We Can Pray With Confidence.

Now that we are the redeemed children of God, we are able to approach our Father with all confidence “as dear children ask their dear father.”

C. Indeed, we are so taught to pray that we ask for precisely that which our Lord has already promised to deliver.

Luther, when he teaches about prayer in his Small Catechism, says that we are to be confident when we pray. We “ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.” That’s the language of relationship.

You are God’s child, and He desperately longs for you to approach Him in prayer for the needs of your life and the longings of your heart.

We are to pray continually. Never give up or Lose Heart!

Jesus ends this parable with a question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (). Will He find faith that is persistent and loyal? The answer is YES! He will find people like those mentioned in the verses following today’s text:

1. Example: The Small Catechism explanations of the Lord’s Prayer petitions: “The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer. . . . The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer.”

Jesus ends this parable with a question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (v 8). Will he find faith that is persistent and loyal? And the answer implied in the question is yes, he will! He will find people like those mentioned just following our text. He will find faith in people like the tax collector, who humbled himself and beat his chest imploring God for mercy. He will find faith in people who, like the little children, look to Christ and trust him implicitly. He will find faith in people like the blind beggar, who cried out to Christ for healing and mercy. He will find faith in people like you and me. For we, too, are a people who stand before God imploring Christ for mercy and leaning on him for everlasting hope.

He will find faith in people like the tax collector, who humbled himself and beat his chest imploring God for mercy.

He will find faith in people who, like the little children, look to Christ and trust him implicitly.

He will find faith in people like the blind beggar, who cried out to Christ for healing and mercy.

He will find faith in people like you and me. For we, too, are a people who stand before God imploring Christ for mercy and leaning on him for everlasting hope.

So can we pray and not lose heart? Yes! Can we pray and not give up? Absolutely! For we know to whom we belong. Peter the apostle has said, “[Cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (). He cares for you and, unlike the judge in today’s parable, God wants to hear from you. You are his beloved child. So take heart!

2. Example: “Saying back to him what he has said to us, we repeat what is most true and sure” (“Introduction” to Lutheran Worship).

So can we pray and not lose heart? Yes! Can we pray and not give up? Absolutely! For we know to Whom we belong. The Apostle Peter said, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” ().

1 Peter 5:7 NASB95

7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 NASB95

7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 NASB95

7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Our Lord cares for you and, unlike the unjust judge in today’s parable, He wants to hear from you. You are his beloved child. So take heart!

He is our peace Who has broken down every wall, He is our peace, He is our peace. He is our peace Who has broken down every wall, He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him, For He cares for you, He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him, For He cares for you, He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him, For He cares for you, He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him,

For He cares for you,

He is our peace, He is our peace.

Pray Continually and Never Give Up or Lose Heart.

3. Example: Luther’s bold description of prayer as rubbing into God’s ears his promises. We can pray with confidence in God’s promised justice.

III. That is, when we understand that God’s promise of justice is the promise to justify us sinners.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A. God’s sure promise is “he will give justice” (v 8).

B. Thus, the widow’s petition is indeed our petition: “Give me justice” (v 3).

C. But if we are to pray confidently, we must understand God’s justice not in the way of the Law but in the way of the Gospel ().

1. Contrary to popular philosophical and legal understandings, God’s justice is not “fairness” or “giving one what one deserves.”

Be Persistent in Prayer. Jesus is always like the persistent widow. He lived the kind of faith and trust he speaks of in this parable.

a. Luther suffered great angst so long as he understood the iustitia Dei in this manner.

This woman was persistent even in the face of injustice. She could have given up, but she didn’t. Jesus is teaching us to be persistent and to trust God, even when it appears to be futile.

But Jesus often uses parables to teach us more about who he is, and so it is here with this parable.

b. That is, sinners deserve condemnation, so a just or fair God will give them what they deserve.

Where do we see Jesus in this parable? We see him in the persistent widow.

2. But Luther rejoiced to discover that the “justice of God” is that by which he justifies us sin-ners—deems us just, righteous, on account of the person and work of Christ.

D. To pray the widow’s prayer, then, is to pray “Give me righteousness. Give me not what I deserve, nor what I’ve earned, but that which Christ obedient unto death has earned in my stead and for my sake. Give me what you, O Lord, have promised in and on account of Christ.”

Soon, however, he would arrive and experience injustice at the hands of Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod, and crowds of people who would shout, “Crucify him!”

Conclusion: The temptation to lose heart in these last days is the temptation to believe the legal maxim that “justice delayed is justice denied.” But in God’s case, in view of God’s justice, this is a pernicious lie. Though the appearance of God’s kingdom and his justice may seem delayed, “he will give justice.” Indeed, he already has. His justice, his righteousness, has already been imputed to you in Holy Baptism. And there, too, has his kingdom come: “When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit” (SC, Second Petition). Here, this morning, his kingdom also comes to you as you participate in the feast of his kingdom, a foretaste of the feast to come. Do not lose heart, dear saints. Your prayer has been answered. The Righteous Judge has fulfilled, and will continue to fulfill, his promise. Amen.

Still, even then, Jesus lives the kind of trust he speaks of in this parable. Jesus keeps faith with the One from whom he expects vindication at the end. He keeps faith all the way to Calvary and his death on the cross. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” ().