Another Source of Strength…

In Matthew 15 we find the story of the Canaanite woman who had a demon possessed daughter that she desperately wanted Jesus to heal. He did not rush to do so but she persisted. Eventually he admitted that he had never seen anyone who had as much faith; he granted her request. Her daughter was healed.

From Jesus’ faith perspective, the Canaanites were not part of his community. They were polytheistic so who knows how many gods they worshipped? Historically, Baal was their favorite. This mother did not care that she did not have the correct religious pedigree and she obviously chose Jesus for a reason. She knew what she knew, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Matthew 15:22) She knew who he was, where he came from, what he stood for.

But did Jesus know her? Or was her identity as a Canaanite a disqualifier? Was she not special enough to receive healing for her kid from Jesus? That was the question. And it appears it was a legitimate question. The healing power of Jesus did not just flow from him like streams of living waters.

What opened the faucet of healing? His wonder at her faith!

On what basis are you doubting that God has you in his hands? By whose standard do you fear you are coming up short? Dear Lord, I hope it is not Facebook!

So while we all cast about on Facebook for good ideas to help us survive our strange and un-ordinary lives, give some consideration to the possibility that there might be another source of strength, another place to run, a God who hears, sees, loves and heals.