03-Feb-2024 – Do you have ferventness and persistence?
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. -Matthew 15:28
This particular passage is well-known and frequently shared for its profound illustration of the extraordinary power of faith. Upon delving into the sequence of events, we discover that the woman in focus is a Canaanite—a background traditionally associated with worshiping multiple gods and idols. What’s remarkable is her lack of a pre-existing relationship with Jesus; however, she holds an unwavering conviction in His healing abilities.
She came to Jesus seeking healing for her daughter. At first, Jesus didn’t respond or show any concern. Undeterred, she persisted, crying out for help. The disciples, troubled by her cries, asked Jesus to send her away.
Jesus initially explained that His mission was directed towards the house of Israel, implying that healing might not be extended to her. Instead of leaving, she worshipped Jesus and pleaded again for her daughter’s healing.
Jesus then metaphorically referred to her as a dog, stating that the children’s bread should not be given to the dogs. Despite this, she didn’t take offense. Instead, she acknowledged her position but expressed her unwavering faith, comparing herself to a dog waiting for the children’s crumbs.
This shift in her response prompted a change in Jesus’ tone. He praised her faith and immediately healed her daughter. In this story, we witness not only faith but also ferventness and persistence. Ferventness involves intense passion, enthusiasm, or zeal, while persistence is the act of continuing to pursue a goal despite facing obstacles or challenges.
Our lives rely on God’s mercy and grace. The Canaanite woman grasped this truth, leading her to fervently persist. In our daily experiences, we often encounter crucial situations where God becomes our ultimate hope. At times, it may seem like God is delaying or not listening to our pleas. However, your sincere fervor and unwavering persistence will surely be acknowledged by God.
Through the theme of this month, which is “Do you have?” God is asking us a question. “Do you have the ferventness and persistence in your critical situations to depend upon your faithful Lord?”
May God assist us in standing firm, just like the Canaanite woman, during the critical times in our lives.
Prayer
Dear Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing love and grace. Sometimes, you take time to answer even when things are tough. It’s a test of our longing and eagerness to see if we’re turning to you as one of our helpers or our only helper. Guide us to rely solely on you in all our situations. You are faithful and loving. Thank you so much for your continours grace and mercy. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
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