Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Lent 2014: Canaanite Woman

Matthew 15:21-28
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Do you have any natural traits that you consider very negative? This woman might be called stubborn. Perhaps you've been labeled stubborn, or something else "just as bad". Maybe you feel frustrated because that particular trait comes with your personality, not as a bad habit you have cultivated over the years. Yet this negative trait called stubbornness turned in a positive direction becomes perseverance. It becomes a virtue which Jesus praises in His followers (Lk 18:1-8). It becomes the reason this Canaanite woman received the healing for her daughter which she had asked for. She saw something objectively good, she recognized that Jesus and only Jesus could give it to her, and she pursued Him until He granted her request.
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So what if He still rejects your request? What if you plead, believe, trust, and pursue yet still do not receive? He must have a reason, although you might not receive an explanation this side of heaven. And the next time you have a request, pray again with faith and perseverance. You might receive what you request this time, and regardless of whether you do or not you will have the opportunity to grow in faith and in your ability to pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17).

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