Faith that moved Jesus, Keys for receiving the blessings

We often wonder why our faith is not making any changes around us. Even though Jesus said, "Everything is possible for him who believes." We believe. We have faith in Jesus. We believe in Jesus. We believe that Jesus is the son of God. We believe Jesus did many miracles. We believe Jesus's disciples like Peter, Paul and other apostles did miracles by the faith in Jesus. Even today, many are doing the same thing by the faith in Jesus. But when we come into our personal lives, even if we pray fervently, put all our faith in Jesus, and eagerly expecting for a favorable outcome, still nothing happening around us. Why it is so? How can we have that faith that moved the mountain? Is there anyway?

Let us look at a woman who's faith moved Jesus, even though Jesus was not interested initially.

Mathew 15: 21-28 “Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

He replied, "It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs."

"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table."

Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Have faith in God
This Canaanite woman caught my attention many times. It's a touching parable. Jesus refused to help her thrice. What about us. If Jesus refuses us once, we will go away from him due to our self-respect. But she was there, begging to be helped. Her faith or need, whatever you call it, was so strong that even moved Jesus. We need to take note of it that we should not lose heart. Believe and plead with Him till we get an answer. It helps me to continue my prayer. I know I will get an answer to all my prayers one day. That day is not so far.

Never Quit

She was not a quitter! She never gives up. She was in terrible need. She Desperately wanted that much-needed healing of her daughter. Without that healing, life would become terrible. Without that healing, it is impossible for her to continue her life. She may have gone to many doctors. She may have visited holy places for the healing of her daughter. May have observed the rituals advised by the priests. I assume that she spent a fortune for the deliverance of her daughter. Many people may have given many suggestions. Yes, she must have got a lot of free suggestions given by her friends and relatives. But nothing worked out for her and her daughter.

But now she heard about one person who is doing wonders in the land of Galilee. She heard that He is giving sight to the blind. healing the sick, feeding the 5000 and so on.

But the problem is that she has to go to another person with a different religion. A foreign God. Everyone was looking down at her when she expressed her desire to go to Jesus. They have many reasons for them to prevent her from going to a foreign God. They have an ancient God, an ancient religion, an ancient place to worship. They are saying that "for generations, we are worshiping a God. We have many Gods for different purposes. We worship them at the different times of the year. There is no scarcity of gods in our religion. Then why should we go to a foreign God." Also from the time of her forefathers, they are not associated with Jews in any way.

But her desire for the deliverance of her daughter compelled her to take the bold step. She comes out of her religion. She went to a foreign God. Her religious community, her family, her neighbors all are not happy with her new found religion and God.

Still, she comes out and cried out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

Unfortunately, there was no answer from Jesus at first. "Jesus did not answer a word."

Do not lose heart.

What we do if God is not responding to our prayers. We may lose heart and give up. She could have given up like us. She could have thought that why should I pry any more. He is not paying any attention to my cry. He is not listening. Even though he has listened to my prayer, he is behaving like He has not heard anything. But His silence did not discourage her. She continued her pleading. She pleaded loudly. Her desire for the deliverance was very high. No one can stop that.

Do not be discouraged
She was not discouraged by Jesus silence. She continued her pleading for deliverance. Now the people around her may be accusing her of going to a foreign God. She could have thought that why should I pray any more as He is not responding. It is better to stop here than to ridiculed by the family members, neighbors and religious people latter. She did not stop there.

Pray with a desire

The reason for not getting the answer to our prayers are maybe we are not desperately needed the answer. Very often our prayers are not intensive. We pray "if it is your will grant me". That is the right way of praying in some circumstances. But when we pray for healing for our loved ones, it should be intensive and with much desire. Plead to God for the healing.

Know your God before praying.

Another thing we should remember that the woman knows to whom she was praying. She was dead sure about the person to whom she was praying that he is capable of healing her daughter. Just think, are we sure about our God that he is able to answer our prayer? Then there is no need to quit. Keep on praying. Intensively. God will answer your prayers.

Expect the result.

Her patience and perseverance yield her the much-needed result. The healing of her daughter! A release from the possession of a demon. Do you need a release? Do you need freedom from the bondage? It is time to have patience and perseverance in prayer. Pray as Jacob prayed. Struggle with God. He will not let you alone. He will heal you. He will give you life. He will give you freedom, freedom from the bondage of demon. Freedom from the sin. That is what we need in this present age.

What about us. If someone to whom we approach for help do the same thing to us, ignoring or avoiding us, then how do we feel? We do feel hurt. The words used by Jesus is very much provocative. "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

In this present world, it could have created a big controversy. People may shout and protest for the language used by Jesus. People may have forced Jesus to make an apology statement. His words are not politically correct. Politicians may call up Jesus for an apology. It could have created headlines in the newspapers and news channels. The live show could have been repeated day after day. It could have been used by Jewish high priest for accusing Jesus and asking Roman Government for the death penalty.

What do you think about it? Tell me your views.

But she humbled herself and got the blessing. If you want the blessings, you need to be humble enough to receive that blessing.