PERSISTENT FAITH
Mark 7:25-30 – For a woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him and she came and fell at His feet.
The woman was a Greek, a Syro -Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs. “Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter., And when she had come to her house, she found the demon had gone out, and the daughter lying on the bed.
Nowhere in the gospels do we have a greater example of persistent, yet humble faith which secures God’s blessings. This woman had a naked faith – faith stripped of all emotion. She persisted, even though there was no inrush of excitement, having come to Christ on behalf of a demon-possessed daughter. She turned four obstacles into stepping stones.
1. Silence:
What a paradox! Jesus stated that the woman had great faith, yet according to Mattthew’s account of this story, He initially answered her with not a word. It is so important that we keep believing, that we persevere with patience. God has heard, and forces are at work with impetus in faith. Too often, His answer comes, His answer comes but finds us gone. Our ship comes in, but there is no one to unload it!
2. Lack of Sympathy:
Also in Mathew’s account, we are told that the Lord’s disciples came to Him saying “Send her away” (Matthew 15:23). This callous response would be enough to discourage most.
3. Race:
This woman was a Gentile, and this time had no claim in Jesus. She met this obstacle with a cry, ‘Lord help me’ (Matthew 15:25). What faith! She worshipped Jesus and called Him Lord. Thus, we are given proof that neither race nor nationality can keep a person from God. Her appeal became one for mercy and grace.
4.Open Rebuff:
Jesus essentially said to her, ‘It wouldn’t be right to take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs. Again, she had the right answer. ‘Just give me some crumbs’ That was enough for Jesus. The whole encounter suddenly exploded into her miracle!
“Please see that the prayer of faith is not compelling a reluctant Lord but laying hold of His willingness. Great faith sees a light at the end of the tunnel yet to be built. It is also the impetus for our miracle – not the reverse. ‘By faith the walls of Jericho fell down (Hebrews 11:30. Not by the shout – the shout was the result of faith?
Testimony
In the year 2020, my wife and myself as parents, went to Muscat-Oman to help our eldest son Gabriel, who had decided to relocate to London. He worked at the Petroleum Development in Oman.
We were called to help him dispose of his furniture and household appliances since he was vacating his two-bedroom rented accommodation. He also owned a vehicle through a bank loan for 9000 Omani Rials.
After putting up ads at the various supermarket’s and public place, we were able to disposeoff all the furniture items and household appliances.
A major problem that he faced before his imminent departure from Muscat was to find a customer to buy his vehicle “Mazda” There were 4 days left for his departure, but there was no buyer yet. The car was valued at OMR 6000 after having paid back a third of the loan. The expatriates would not go for it. Our hope was that the local people viz. Omanis would be the probable buyers. Nevertheless, there were enquiries from some locals also but to no avail because their offer was low. Discouragement was setting in. If the vehicle were to remain unsold before his departure from Muscat, he would have to transfer ownership to his cousin and come back another time to make the sale.
At that time, I stepped in and decided to pray, standing by the Scripture promises in the Gospel of Mark 11:23 – “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and it will be yours” and also Hebrews 11:1 – “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and confidence of things not seen”. I believed, prophesised it, praying through the night saying that Faith is the realisation of the things hoped for and confidence of things not seen”. Even as I sat through the night praying, I heard “God answered your prayer.” It was a great night, I remember. The next day, my son returned from office with the result, saying his car was purchased by one of his Arab colleagues from the office.
All glory & praise to God to whom nothing is impossible!
Sol.Gerardo Fernandes