Persistent Faith

Devotional Reading: Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:28 ESV

The story in Matthew 15 tells of great faith and extraordinary perseverance that is not owned by all believers. We often pray for something. When nothing happens, however, we believe that God is saying no to us. We, therefore, turn our attention to something else. We give up too easily. We get discouraged easily. We fall back easily. However, the answer to that prayer may be at the door.

Today’s word of God shows us that that kind of attitude is wrong. We think we have faith, but that faith is not big enough. True faith must be based on truth. The Gentile Canaanite woman recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David. That’s the truth.

She did not ask Jesus as a witch doctor or a smart person, but rather as God’s Anointed One. She then built true persistence based on the truth that was believed by her. She cried out to Jesus, begged and spoke to Him, humbled her heart, and honored Him. Because of this woman’s faith and perseverance, Jesus cast out a demon who had entered her daughter’s body.

Christ seeks that kind of faith and zeal in us so that we can keep going forward in our spiritual life, no matter what lies ahead. Persistence and determination are qualities that arise in those who are committed to something or someone they trust.

Each obstacle and hindrance becomes a challenge to keep going. Keep pursuing the truth and live by it. Believe that God wants to answer our prayers. He hopes that all of us can come to Him with sincerity, faith, and even determination like that of the Canaanite woman.

It is this faith that produces this kind of endurance that we need to have and build up. Don’t give up because of the pressure. Faith is worth fighting for and its results will not disappoint us.

Prayer and Confession
Jesus, help me not to give up. Help me to trust completely regardless of the contrary situation that surrounds me.

Further Reading: Matthew 15:21-28