Lord, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You are the answer, the help, the remedy I need. I pursue You boldly and seek You passionately, refusing to be deterred or denied.
Focus of the Month: Ordinary Women with Extraordinary Hope
Have you ever been so completely desperate for an answer – a solution – a remedy, that you’ve pushed through extreme adversity? Have you ever known the way to obtain the remedy, but also known you were unworthy to receive it? Have you had to fight through the resistance or refusal of others to reach the results you desired?
In Matthew, Chapter 15, we learn of such a woman. She is told by Jesus, Himself, that He had come for the people of Israel – not the Gentiles. He actually refers to the woman in His analogy as a dog. Wait… What? Jesus compared a Gentile woman to a dog?
He did. But the story didn’t end there. Read Matthew 15:21-28:
And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
This Gentile woman pursued Jesus – refusing to be denied. She was passionate and resolute. She didn’t allow the words of others to deter her from her pursuit. Knowing Jesus was her answer, she knelt in His presence and spoke directly to Him, asking Him to help her. Recognizing she could benefit from being in the presence of Jesus – even as a Gentile – she demanded a portion of His blessing that was unused by the Israelites.
This woman hoped unwaveringly; demanded tenaciously; believed completely; and stood confidently. Her faith was great! …so great that Jesus recognized it, and fulfilled the very thing she was desiring – deliverance and healing for her daughter.
Nothing this woman did caused her to receive the fulfillment of her desire – except her relentless faith in Jesus. Can we be as determined to receive the fulfillment of the blessings provided to us through Jesus? Can we press in so boldly that NOTHING will deter us from our stand of faith? Not the circumstances. Not the voices of others. Not the unworthiness we or others may see in us. Not our works or lack thereof. Nothing.
Are you believing for something from God? Are you pursuing Him tenaciously, refusing to be denied? Press in. Seek Him. Ask Him for help. Gather the crumbs. Your faith will lead you to the answer…the whole bountiful loaf!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Matthew 15:21-28, 17:20; John 14:6; Hebrews 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:7
