I write blog articles on my computer in our basement, which is a walkout. I have a view of our backyard—a surprisingly pleasant scene for a basement workspace.
My life situation is vastly different from that of the early Christians mentioned in Luke’s Gospel. My life is also vastly different from that of Jesus’ followers in countries where they face persecution and endure severe hardships.
People who suffer severe hardships will latch on to the first word of Luke’s message in Chapter 18.
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart (Luke 18.1).
When times are hard, it is easy to lose heart, give up, and wonder where God is. This was the situation for the Psalm writer.
For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
I am counted among those who go down to the Pit;
I am like those who have no help,
like those forsaken among the dead,
like the slain that lie in the grave,
like those whom you remember no more,
for they are cut off from your hand. (Psalm 88.4-5)
Psalm 88 continues with heartfelt expressions of frustration over the psalmist’s unchanged circumstances.
One of the remarkable aspects of the Bible is its honesty. When we approach God, we can freely share what’s on our hearts—He already knows. In fact, Jesus shared a parable specifically for those facing situations similar to Psalm 88, encouraging them not to lose heart.
He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people.
In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’
For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming'” (Luke 18.2-5).
In the parable of the friend at midnight (Luke 11:5-13), Jesus uses a reasoning technique that argues from the lesser to the greater. In a same way, the judge in the parable represents the lesser figure, while God is revealed as the greater figure.
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?
I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18.6-8).
The writer of Psalm 88 lamented that God seemed distant during his time of trouble. In this parable, Jesus assures us that even when God feels far away, He will ultimately come through for us.
The phrase “going through” is commonly heard in African American churches, where people use it to describe enduring a difficult experience.
One of my African American pastor friends once explained the meaning behind this expression to me. He said, “We talk about ‘going through’ because we know we’re not staying there—we’re passing through it.”
This reflects the sentiment of trusting God and not losing heart, as Jesus taught. It is also the confidence that, in the end, when God acts, He will find faith among His chosen ones.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 