Frustration and Faith

If there has ever been a more confusing story in the Bible than the following one, I don't know it. (Matthew 15:22-28 NCV) "A Canaanite woman from that area came to Jesus and cried out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter has a demon, and she is suffering very much." {23} But Jesus did not answer the woman. So his followers came to Jesus and begged him, "Tell the woman to go away. She is following us and shouting." {24} Jesus answered, "God sent me only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel." {25} Then the woman came to Jesus again and bowed before him and said, "Lord, help me!" {26} Jesus answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and give it to the dogs." {27} The woman said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." {28} Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! I will do what you asked." And at that moment the woman's daughter was healed."

It really sounds like the Lord was not going to heal her daughter because of her nationality. That just doesn't sound like Him, especially after the Samaritan woman story and other stories where He seemed to stretch the rules.

No matter how I feel about this passage, the lesson to learn, I think, is that the woman's faith in Jesus and her persistence in prayer are what saved her child. Amazing!

Jesus tells a parable in Luke 11 that is a similar lesson. (Luke 11:5-10 NCV) "Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you went to your friend's house at midnight and said to him, 'Friend, loan me three loaves of bread. {6} A friend of mine has come into town to visit me, but I have nothing for him to eat.' {7} Your friend inside the house answers, 'Don't bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.' {8} I tell you, if friendship is not enough to make him get up to give you the bread, your boldness will make him get up and give you whatever you need. {9} So I tell you, ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. {10} Yes, everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened."

I tell you all this to get to a point. Danielle woke up this morning having seizures again. It will not stop. I don't understand. Daily in our prayers we ask for them to be removed. It's almost as though He is not paying attention. It's so frustrating!

I know the power is there. I believe that God can heal her. I really do! So God with boldness I ask where are you? I ask for you to please show up and show your mighty power in the life of our daughter. She doesn't understand. We don't understand. Her faith is weak right now. She is getting to the point where she doesn't even like herself and her life. God, You heard her say this morning, "I hate my life." Please God don't lead her through this valley any longer. With the boldness of faith and the audacity to continue to believe, I claim the miracle of healing for our little girl. God help us in the name of Jesus of Nazereth and by the power of the Holy Spirit!

I ask you today to join with me in beating on the door of God's house. It's midnight for us, but we will continue to knock until He sees fit to help Danielle. So please shout out to God on her behalf today. Thank you all my Blog family.