WEDNESDAY 27TH JUNE 2018 MORNING PRAYER DEVOTION
SCRIPTURE READING:- MATTHEW 15:21-28
TOPIC:- THE MERCY OF THE LORD IS FOR YOU TOO
TEXT:- MATTHEW 15:22
Why was Jesus at that region i.e. a place outside Israel as stated in verses 21 and 29 of Matthew Chapter 15? It was because there is a reason and that reason was to settle the Gentile woman by showing her mercy.
This Gentile woman was termed to be a sinner and a dog as stated in Verse 22, but it was just because of this woman only that Jesus purposely came to that region. Her acknowledgement of Jesus even to His root i.e. Son of David, verse 22, shows that she was desperate to know Christ the more by falling Him by the name of His ancestors [Son of David] which connects her to mercy. Another example for this woman was the blind Barthimaeus in Mark 10:46-52.
Surprisingly, Jesus refused to reply her with a single word despite her calling on Jesus, verse 23. The major reason why Jesus refused to answer her was because he needed to be sure if she really desired the blessing and He wanted to see if the woman will give up on her request and also to teach us that it is not the first attempt of calling on God that will bring result, but our gladsome persistence, John 16:24.
Jesus’ response to the woman was that He was sent to find the lost sheep of Israel in verse 24, what Jesus was saying was that she was not one of the people that are qualified to receive from Jesus. But her reply was to test her perseverance, peradventure she might give up. She was termed a dog by Jesus to test her if she had the ability to humble herself, verse 26.
Just like the case of Hannah to Eli in I Samuel 1:8-18. She understood that Jesus did not refer to her as an animal but a pet i.e. puppy. She came to Jesus with strong determination and desire to receive, verse 27. And she did not quit until her request was granted i.e. it became compulsory for Jesus being a merciful God to grant her request.
Her faith was so challenging to the extent that Jesus had no other option than to grant her request, verse 28.
This made Jesus to commend her as a woman of great faith, and even greater than all other Israelites. It was at this point that Jesus had no option but to grant her request, verse 28b, and thereafter she received authority and answer to her request as Jesus pronounced.
Then came the physical answer to her request, verse 28c. Because at that same hour, the answer to her request manifested both spiritually and physically. She was indeed shown great mercy.
You too will not be left out in this work of mercy because you also will receive mercy as promised by our living God, Exodus 33:19.
Prayer Points:-
1. Lord God, let me receive your mercy henceforth, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. I decree, mercy of the Lord shall follow and encamp me and my family henceforth, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. I declare, God’s mercy will never cease in my life and family, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have A Beautiful Mid-Week!
