by Anne Mitchell
Jesus in the Gospels
NEVER GIVE UP
She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” “Good answer!” He said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.” –Mark 7:24-30
Sometimes it seems like Jesus doesn’t answer our prayers, especially when we feel like we’ve been asking for a long time. We often fail to remember that our timeframe of accomplishment seldom comes in alignment with that of Jesus. We have been prone to giving up quickly, thinking we won’t get an answer and in some cases, we think Jesus just doesn’t hear our prayers.
Mark 7:24-30 gives an account of a Syrophoenician (Gentile) woman who came to Jesus seeking deliverance for her daughter. She already knew there was a possibility her request would be rejected because of who she was. How quickly many of us would have been offended at being called a dog and gone away angry but this woman persisted in her petition to receive deliverance for her daughter. Her persistence paid off as Jesus responded to her insistence that even the dogs were allowed to eat the scraps. “That’s a good answer” He said.
It may seem like we are without faith when we keep praying for answers to the same situation but until we receive a definite answer, we must continue to pray and not grow weary. Whatever troubles your heart today, you can continue to bombard heaven until you receive an answer, even when its not the one you want.
Nothing is too small or too great that Jesus, our Savior, is not concerned about it. If it concerns us, it concerns Him, and His great desire is that we talk to Him about every aspect of our lives. We can depend on Him to always give the best answer.
Lord Jesus, help me to come before your throne boldly with my prayers. Help me to pray without ceasing until I receive that breakthrough answer and your will is fully accomplished in my life. Amen