ANGLICAN COMMUNION DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2023-Dec-11 TOPIC: MERCY, NOT ENTITLEMENT

 

TEXT: Matthew 15:21-28 (NKJV)

15:21. Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

15:22. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."

15:23. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."

15:24. But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

15:25. Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"

15:26. But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw [it] to the little dogs."

15:27. And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."

15:28. Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great [is] your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

STUDY: We sometimes approach God with a sense of entitlement as if we truly and in ourselves deserve whatever we seek from Him. While our adoption through Christ gives us the privilege of approaching God as His children, grace brought us to salvation.

 Ultimately, therefore, we are truly blessed by Him only by mercy. This Canaanite woman came to Jesus knowing she was not 'qualified'; she came seeking mercy because of her daughter: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David”(v.22). Although Jesus did not initially answer, her persistence paid off eventually.

There are few lessons we can learn here.

(i)Even when we are unqualified, mercy triumphs over judgment. Has sin disqualified you from approaching Him? Plead for His mercy in genuine repentance.

(ii)The intercessor possesses the power to stand in the gap for someone else (v.22). You can intercede today for someone under the oppression of the enemy. 

(iii) Persistence in prayers pays off eventually. Even when it looks like Heaven is silent over your case/request, persist! Your desperate need will be met. 

(iv) Have faith in Christ's ability. Christ is able to handle all that concerns you. Be encouraged!