True Faith

In the Old Testament, David was never supposed to enter the holy of holies in the tabernacle. He did, though, and his experience resulted in a powerful psalm that God’s people recite to this day: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, ESV). Although David went where he was not supposed to go, it caused him to reflect on the amazing revelation of God’s presence on the earth.

Many saints in the Bible and throughout history have circumvented their bad situations through sheer faith, advancing God’s calendar by their passionate cries to him. One of those people was a non-Israelite who sought out Jesus to heal her afflicted daughter. “Behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.’” (Matthew 15:22). This woman had approached Jesus with a big need; her daughter was tormented by a demonic spirit.

However, Christ wasn’t stirred to act. “But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she is crying out after us.’” (Matthew 15:23). The woman stayed and kept bothering them, pressing in with her request, refusing to go away. If you are familiar with scripture, you know that Jesus told several parables applauding that kind of persistence: “Keep knocking. Keep seeking. Keep asking. God will reward your faith.”

It would have been easy for this woman to give up, but she kept persisting, and Jesus finally told her, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26), referring to Israel’s priority over Gentiles. I find her response amazing: “She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’” (Matthew 15:27). She was saying, “Jesus, if we’re talking about the power of heaven, then even a scrap is sufficient.”

She was right! The scraps that fall from God’s table are sufficient to meet any need on this earth. She had faith that even the smallest measure would deliver her daughter completely. Friend, that is true faith! This woman didn’t ask timidly. She asked, believing in God’s goodness, knowing that even the smallest scrap of his glory was enough to perform a miraculous deliverance.