I greet you, dear readers of „Daily Word for Spiritual Edification”. We have been looking at the story from the life of a Canaanite woman, which caused God’s intervention in the life of her daughter, even though it seemed impossible at first.We already saw some truths in this story, but today I want us to consider why Jesus did not answer her request immediately.
«Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O, woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour» (Matthew, 15:21-28).
All the time when the woman was begging Jesus for help, He was testing her faith. He wanted to grow her faith so that she would learn to walk in victory.
In all the different hard situations that happen to us daily, God desires to show us the condition of our faith. God knows it well, but He wants us to see what the condition of our faith is. God has given us faith with a particular purpose, and that is to, by faith, overcome the world, carry out our dreams, please God, and reach our goals. If we have faith, then we should not be complaining – we should be winning! We win and overcome in life by faith! There are different levels of problems and trials. Our faith is strengthened by going through trials and difficulties. By faith you can overcome all your obstacles!
Why didn’t Jesus answer the woman’s prayer right away? Why did He answer the way He did?1.Jesus wanted her faith to grow.Why doesn’t Jesus answer our prayers right away? Why are there always obstacles in our way in the search for an answer? It is because God desires to build up our faith. That is why every time when we face difficulties that are bigger than us and surpass our abilities, we need to learn to thank God for allowing our faith to grow in these situations.
«My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience» (James, 1:2-3).2.Jesus wanted His disciples to have a lesson of faith that overcomes all the obstacles.Jesus wanted to teach His disciples using the situations they faced. Through this story of the Canaanite woman He wanted to demonstrate that faith is able to overcome all obstacles. The disciples saw how it was done by this woman.3.Jesus desired for this woman to create an example for her daughter of how to act and react in a difficult situation.All this time Jesus was thinking about the healing of her daughter. How we behave in different hard situations is a lesson and example for our children and those we are mentoring. Jesus tested her faith so that her daughter would learn to handle difficult situations like her mother did.4.Through this situation Jesus wanted to demonstrate that persistent faith will always be rewarded.Persistence in faith always brings a reward. This woman received her reward; when she came home she found her daughter healed and well. It was not an accident; it was a victory won by persistent faith. Pastor Rufus Ajiboy
