GREAT IS YOUR FAITH

“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 15:28

REFERENCE:

Matthew 15:22-28

This woman earned the commendation, “Great is your faith” because she would not take ‘NO’ for an answer. Hers was a persevering faith. There are certain miracles we expect from God that would only answer to such great faith; faith that is too desperate to be denied.

I like that the principle of great faith is taught in our text using the story of a parent praying for a child. There is no greater earnestness seen in prayer than when a parent, especially a mother, is praying for a child in desperate need of medical help.

What did Jesus see in this woman’s attitude that made Him say, “Great is your faith?”

a.     She was a foreigner, cut off from the commonwealth of Israel; yet, she sought help from Israel for her child. She was supposed to have the least knowledge of Jesus, not to talk of seeking His power, but she knew Him more than many in Israel. Considering the quality of her faith, it is obvious she invested time in knowing Jesus, for faith comes by hearing. Your faith will not deliver at a ‘great’ level until you increase your knowledge of Jesus.

b.     Her faith worshipped. She called Jesus, the “Son of David,” His Messianic title. She saw Him as the Deliverer and Savior of the world. She also called Him Lord, thereby owning him as God, and as having power over all things. By worshipping him, she conferred deity upon Him. Until your faith can worship God through your tears and delay, it remains malnourished and will not deliver at the ‘great’ level. Abraham also worshipped God while waiting.

c.     She asked Jesus to have mercy and deliver the demon-possessed girl. She understood that Jesus, being God, owned the prerogative of mercy, and whomever He showed mercy will indeed be relieved of their affliction or guilt. Her faith knew that Jesus could do something about the situation, for it is useless to ask one to help who can do nothing about the matter of need. Great faith comes to God believing that He has the power to do something about the expressed need. It understands that what it seeks will come on the platform of God’s mercy, so it does not count its own merits before God. God will not deny such faith.

Jesus answered this woman not a word at first. Many would have turned back and gone home or given up on the prayer request altogether. The ‘silence’ of God has silenced many praying mouths and delays in answers have discouraged many yearning hearts. When it seems that what you desire is delaying, or you seem not to have the natural qualifications or merits for it, learn from this woman; increase in your knowledge of Christ and switch to worship.

We will complete the lessons in tomorrow’s episode.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Hebrews 11:1, Psalm 9:9-12 and Romans 4:18-21 (TLB)

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PRAYERS:

+ Lord, I ask You to please furnish me with the grace to pay the price for ‘great faith.’

+ In spite of delay and Your seeming silence on that matter, I worship and praise You now.