Dogs Want To Eat Too!

Reading Assignment:  Matthew 15, 16 


Matthew 15:21-28 a woman came to Jesus seeking deliverance for her daughter who was being tormented by evil spirits.  This is an unusual request because they had racial and religious bigotry then, just as we still suffer from today.  


Jesus responded, after a long silence which was only interrupted by the inquiring disciple, "I am only sent to the Jews."  His next statement would have turn off half of the Body of Christ TODAY!  He said, "it isn't right to give the children's inheritance to DOGS."  


Jesus called the woman a Dog, testing her resolve for the blessing that she sought.  Most people would have gotten offended at His statement which seemed to be very insensitive and mean spirited.  Sometimes you have to fight through the personal hang-ups and demonstrate the type of faith that says, " I won't allow anything to get me off track or offend me from getting the blessing that God has for me."


It's so sad to see how many people give up too early on what they desire from God.  This woman wasn't leaving without her answer.  She responded to Jesus with the most amazing answer.  She didn't deny that the Jews considered the Gentile people to be Dogs, but she was bigger than that bias toward her people.  She said, "truth Lord, yet even the Dogs eat the crumbs..."  She said in essence, "call me anything you want to but I am not leaving here until my daughter is healed and delivered.  Look at the perseverance of this woman.  


In our lives we must get beyond the stuff that gets us off course and stay focused on the BIG PICTURE.  Jesus said to the woman that her faith qualified her for the blessing!  He told her that she had "Great Faith."  He never said that to the disciples who followed Him for over 3 years, but to a woman who wasn't supposed to even speak to Him.  Faith in God trumps all the obstacles that you face in life.  It's a matter of how bad do you want it and can you fight through the distractions that try to get you off your mark.


Faith Confession:  Father today I will stay focused on the Big Picture and not allow small stuff to get me off my faith in you.  I believe your Word and will only allow IT to speak to me concerning my circumstances.  I refuse to be distracted as I walk by Faith and not by Sight, in Jesus' name, Amen!