Readings for the Day:
Sermon:
In all of our readings today, we see a very real and relatable part of the human
condition. Our desire, our need for something from God.
Often times this need manifests itself in what seem to be our most dire moments. Those times when, like for the widow in the Gospel, it seems all is against us and we need someone to stand up and give us justice in our lives and in our situations.
Those times, like in the psalm, are where we lift up our eyes, wondering who will come to our aid.
Those are the times, as in Genesis, where we are returning to a home we left long ago. A home, as for Jacob, where we don't know if those waiting for us still hold a grudge. Where we are not sure if our brother, like Jacob's brother Esau, will greet us with vengeance for past wrongs or with love after a long time waiting for a return.
In these moments of uncertainty and pain, we often turn to the only one left to save us. God.
And sometimes it feels that as we are looking to God for help, we are in fact struggling with Him. At times it feels like we are the widow in the Gospel, bothering God day and night, hoping that He will hear and respond. Refusing to let Him find a moments rest or peace.
And at other times we are like Jacob. So caught up in the struggle that it feels as if we are physically at odds with our Lord. Or at the very least that we are holding on so tightly out of fear that if we let go, our Lord will just slip away.
These moments are difficult ones for us. Because even though we are trying to get what we need, even though we are trying to make sure that God can hear us, it can sometimes still feel like we are at odds with him. That we are doing something wrong. That we are breaking off the relationship we have with Him.
We are assured in our readings today that such is not the case. That even when we get mad with God, even when we want something more from Him, He has not abandoned us. Because, as the psalm says, when we are looking for help, that aid, that assistance that is coming from no where else, we can always turn to the Lord.
Often times this need manifests itself in what seem to be our most dire moments. Those times when, like for the widow in the Gospel, it seems all is against us and we need someone to stand up and give us justice in our lives and in our situations.
Those times, like in the psalm, are where we lift up our eyes, wondering who will come to our aid.
Those are the times, as in Genesis, where we are returning to a home we left long ago. A home, as for Jacob, where we don't know if those waiting for us still hold a grudge. Where we are not sure if our brother, like Jacob's brother Esau, will greet us with vengeance for past wrongs or with love after a long time waiting for a return.
In these moments of uncertainty and pain, we often turn to the only one left to save us. God.
And sometimes it feels that as we are looking to God for help, we are in fact struggling with Him. At times it feels like we are the widow in the Gospel, bothering God day and night, hoping that He will hear and respond. Refusing to let Him find a moments rest or peace.
And at other times we are like Jacob. So caught up in the struggle that it feels as if we are physically at odds with our Lord. Or at the very least that we are holding on so tightly out of fear that if we let go, our Lord will just slip away.
These moments are difficult ones for us. Because even though we are trying to get what we need, even though we are trying to make sure that God can hear us, it can sometimes still feel like we are at odds with him. That we are doing something wrong. That we are breaking off the relationship we have with Him.
We are assured in our readings today that such is not the case. That even when we get mad with God, even when we want something more from Him, He has not abandoned us. Because, as the psalm says, when we are looking for help, that aid, that assistance that is coming from no where else, we can always turn to the Lord.
We are assured that He will be our help because of the example we receive in Jesus' parable this morning. Because this widow looking for justice is banging on the door of an unjust judge. And finally, after she continues to come and come to him again asking for the justice she deserves, this judge finally breaks down. He breaks down and decides the easiest thing to do, the sure way to be rid of this woman, is to do what she wants. And so even the unjust grants justice, even if it is only to see this woman go on her way.
And how much more, asks Jesus, will God who is just be ready and willing to listen to our pleas? How much more will God be willing to answer the cry and give justice to those who ask for it?
And we are assured that God will answer our cry, no matter what, because even in the midst of physical struggle, when Jacob asks for a blessing, that is exactly what the stranger gives him. His blessing.
And what is a blessing but the continual assurance of God's presence among us? The assurance that God cares and will be there with us no matter what befalls us. No matter how much we may ask or demand of Him.
And that is what God provides. Even in the midst of physical struggle with Jacob. He gives his blessing. He gives His promise that He will continue to be there. To be there for us.
What we search for in our darkest times is proof that God will be present for us. That He will care about what trials and struggles we are going through. And that is the assurance that we get from our readings today.
When we struggle, even with God, He's there providing us with His blessing. And when we search for that help we aren't even sure will come, we end up finding our help in the Lord. And when we beg and beg for justice, for someone to come to our aid. Well Jesus assures us that we can always find our help in God.
This isn't to say we come out of our trials unchanged. From Jacob we see that change does come. And sometimes we end up battered and bruised as a result.
But even in our darkest moments we have hope. We have the assurance that God is there because He has blessed us.
And we see that in the blessing we have through our Savior Jesus Christ. In Him we see God's desire to be with us. We see His presence with us. Through the act of His healing, we see God's desire to help us. And in Him we see that although we are battered and bruised from the strain of sin, God is there to make us whole again.
Through Jesus we have hope that God is there for us always. And even in our darkest trials, knowing He is there gives us something to be thankful for.