Power Of Persistence

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 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.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Persistence is the ability to maintain action regardless of your feelings; it is the ability to continue even when you feel like quitting. The difference between winners and losers is their level of persistence. As believers in Christ we need to be persistent. Throwing in the towel at any little disappointment can make us not to be able to receive answer to our requests. God’s time is different from our own, He does things at His own time, and He does not make mistakes. His timing is always right and accurate. His word tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9 that His ways are not our ways; neither is His thoughts our thoughts…… God will never disappoint any of His children, but we need to trust Him and keep trusting Him. If we are persistent in good faith, He would give us things that we asked for.

The ability to persist has to do with our faith and trust in God, it shows we know and sure that the Lord is able and more than enough to meet our needs.

The account of the Canaanite woman in our text made it clear that God can grant you what you do not deserve, when you persist in asking. The woman wanted Jesus to help her in healing her daughter who was possessed with evil spirit, but Jesus answered her “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” This statement means that the woman did not deserve what she was asking for, but her humility and her persistence earned her what she did not deserve.

“Yes, Lord,” She said. “But even the dog eats the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Some people would have given up at Jesus’ answer but she knew that Jesus is capable of doing what she asked for; she refused to get angry or give up.

If we can endure hardship, if we can persevere, and refuse to give up on God, He will grant us our requests. “Then Jesus answered. “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Humble yourself before God, be persistent in asking, don’t get tired or angry, if you persist; He is merciful to grant you the things you do not deserve. Do not forget that winners never quit and quitters don't win.