Luke 18:7-8

"And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily." - Luke 18:7-8

My soul, mark for thy encouragement, in all thine approaches to a throne of grace, what Jesus here speaks, and never lose sight of it. Remember how well acquainted he, who came out of the bosom of the Father, mast be with the Father's mind and will towards his people, over and above the gracious exercise of his priestly office in their behalf. Now, my soul, do mark down distinctly what blessed things are here promised. First - God's people are said in it to be his elect, his chosen, his jewels. "This people," saith God, "I have formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise." Secondly - God's people are a praying people; "they cry day and night to him;" they are unceasing in their applications; and they wrestle, like their father Jacob in prayer: "Lord, I will not let thee go except thou bless me." Give me Jesus, and in him I shall have all things. He will subdue this corruption; he will soften this affliction; he will conquer Satan, and with him, all his temptations. Thirdly - God's people will and must be exercised. There will be sometimes long silence at the throne. The enemy will endeavour to improve this to strengthen his temptation; he will suggest, ‘God hath forgotten thee; he will return no more; he hath cast thee off.' Lastly - mark what Jesus saith; "Shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?" Yes, yes, he will, I tell you, saith one who could not be mistaken; "he will avenge them, and that speedily." When the hour of deliverance comes, it shall come so sudden, so sweet, so unexpected, that all their long waiting shall be forgotten; and it shall seem as if that promise of answering before they called was in it. And he will not only bless them, but avenge them of their foes. And whence all this, my soul, but because he is the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation. His people are his chosen, the gift of his love, the purchase of Jesus's blood, the conquests of his Holy Spirit. Lord, cause me ever to keep those precious things in remembrance, and to hang on, and hold out, and never, never to give over pleading in Jesus, until I hear that precious voice, "Be it unto thee, even as thou wilt."