21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Introduction:
In today’s society, we see or receive requests for help from individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, and countries constantly. They desire our monies, services, clothes, food, and now even our cars or property. HELP! HELP! So so many calls, so many different directions! The frequency and numbers have overwhelmed us. De-sensitizing us to a natural response to assist. So actual thought of someone blindly passing by and not acknowledging someone’s request or desire for help is not far fetch today.
Everywhere someone seeking aids or physical helps. Not very often do we hear a request for spiritual help. Generally this may be attributed to the fact when people come to seek help, they usually find only two types; from the government, or church. First, the government can only offer limited help or assistance these days based on legislation and will most likely offer them help with physical issues or things, and nothing spiritual. The so called separation of church and state forces them to play a hands off approach. A nation serving under GOD, indivisible, but only from GOD? We need to return our country to GOD!
The cycle of helps and receiving physical assistance or things, remains perpetual. With no other alternatives, they are usually forced to come to a church to seek help. Here they should be able to receive both physical and spiritual assistance. We should be able to fill their physical needs if able so as they would not be distracted while seeking help with their spiritual. Fix their hunger, fix their wounds, fix their addiction, and work on them spiritually. An eery example of those seeking help might sneak in the side door hoping not to call attention to themselves. Hoping to blend-in with the crowd, in the congregation, and possibly meet the man of GOD and receive a small prayer or a blessing, or even deliverance. Too often as soon as the preaching is over, the members or the church folk, flock to the preacher to offer congratulatory accolades. Sadly this can block those visitors seeking personal access to request help. Members regularly attending Church should try to fellowship with the Pastor during the scheduled weekly activities such as bible study, prayer meeting, and/or deliverance services. Many times when they crowd the Man of GOD on Sunday morning with non emergency issues, they are hurrying or forcing others from communing with the Pastor. Sadly, many of those who are neglected an opportunity force access either feel dejected and never return, or find solace in the world.
BODY:
Herein the text we see a woman coming to a gathering throng seeking solace from the man of GOD. Trying to find a way to fit in. Seeking an opportunity to find help for her household. However, not only is she chastened by the church folks, the elders, Jesus own armourbearers, the disciples; The man of GOD does not answer her plea or even acknowledge it was heard! This situation can cause even the most fervent worshippers to give up on GOD and give in to the world! But faith warriors go beyond just calling and seeking, and believing to Deliverance. Realize those in the world seeking help need to know the process of progression from needing to deliverance. Just like her they need to understand.
First she sought Him
She sought Him probably because she had tried every doctor, every psychic, every root worker, and divination expert in the territory and her child was still vexed. So finally when she had tried it. She heard about a Man of GOD, who was giving sight to the blind, healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding 5,000, and His name is Jesus. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. Although, she sought him, He answered her not. But she did not give up on GOD! No answer was received because no relationship existed between the two. She could not have a relationship with Him yet, because salvation had no come unto the Gentiles yet. So HE explained to her 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. At this point she stop being part of the gathering throng, or one of those church folks and began worshipping Him.
Worshipped Him
The bible says although, He ignored her at first, and those in the gathering throng chastised her, for her fervent requests bothered them. Realize everyone will not appreciate your praising and worshipping in spite of your circumstances. Some people like to wallow in misery for the attention it brings. They have been there so long, and people have langished pity and attention on them for their misery and keep providing them assistance and whoa. Realize that sometimes you have to push past the gathering throng, to get your blessing. Just like the woman with the issue of blood. So many people encompassed Jesus, she could not get a chance to talk to Him or even ask her request. But by her faith she knew if she could just touch the hem of His garment! The blessing is in the pressing! Press on through your troubles, and Don’t give up on GOD, and Don’t give into the World! See here this woman did not pay them any attention as they were trying to push her away and stop her worshipping. Noticed she did not argue, seek a point of order, or cause a schism in the body and start her own church! She just stopped and began worshipping GOD. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. She threw herself down in humility and began to worship. And laid her petition at the feet of Jesus. Jesus saw her humility, and began to commune with her. It’s hard to stumble or fall on your knees!
Communed with Him
Now that she had established a relationship with Jesus, and yielded her will at His feet, He answered and communed with her. They were able to communicate with one another. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. We see in this verbal exchange, that not only does he answer her, but also he acknowledges her requests. That’s because she had now established a relationship with Him. We cannot expect GOD to answer our prayers, when we don’t have a relationship with Him.
He Answered Her Prayer:
After she began worshipping Jesus, and established a relationship with Him, she began to understand His will and bring her request inline with it. Even through her seeking GOD, and her conversion, she was steadfast in faith, requesting a spiritual blessing. Which resulted in GOD honoring her prayer.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
CONCLUSION:
When seeking assistance in your life don’t give up GOD and don’t give in to the pressures of the world. Even if he doesn’t answer you, or acknowledge your prayers, Don’t allow church folks or others to dissuade you. You will have to press on beyond the gathering throng and Worship Him in spirit and in truth. When GOD sees your ability to press on through adversity and worship Him, He will incline His ear unto you, and commune with you. Through that communion GOD will answer your prayers. The answer will either be Yes, No or Wait, so don’t give up and don’t give in.
