A Good Reply

Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” Mark 7:29 (NIV)

Constantly and without realizing it we are led into situations.  Even at the moment surely the Lord has prepared some special moment where we could demonstrate great faith.  These moments normally disguised as some kind of compromise, trial or hardship.  But they are in no way limited to less favorable circumstances.  Many times they are in forms of praise, joy and thanksgiving.

This occasion we find the woman from Greek Syrian Phoenicia in her great moment of truth.  She had no way of knowing what was really going on.  All this time her daughter had been suffering.  What a painful experience to go through as a parent.  But her moment to shine was merely budding. The woman seeks help.  She correctly approaches the One person who can really help.  She makes her bold request.  The first response does not bring any real relief.  So she insists.  Perfectly she demonstrates that she can do no more than depend upon the love and mercy of God.  Jesus sees this simple whole-hearted trust.  He knows that the words of the woman are not light and easy words just thrown around.

This woman is given permission to go in peace.  She is granted grace from above.  She found a secret that we need to learn.  She found a way to glorify the Lord in her simple faith.  She lifted up the Savior without reserve.  She showed herself correctly dependent upon Jesus.  She placed herself within reach of His healing power.  What a wonderful lesson to learn.

It sounds like such a well-kept secret.  How could we possibly stand in the right position so that the power of the Lord is free to work within us?  What could we do so that we do not stand in His way?  Surely there is an attitude which pleases Him.  Surely it is not a secret password.  Rather, it must be a placement of relationship.  One must stand approved in His direct company.

Jesus wants to ease our suffering too.  He would love to usher us into a land where our faith has opened the door. He is looking for the opportunity to commend us as He did the woman that day.  The situation is surely presenting itself.  Perhaps we cannot limit it to only one moment or one situation.  Our faith is put to the test.

What remains is for us to understand our role.  When we see the opportunity to lift Him up, we can step out in faith.  It is time to honor the Lord with even the smallest seed of pure faith.  We don´t need proof.  We don´t need great miracles.  We do not need all of our suffering or our tough times to be removed.  But we could respond correctly to our Lord.  We could give Him glory and honor.  We could concede Him the power and authority He really does have.  We could place ourselves without reserve in His very presence.  We could be dependent upon Him.  This pleases greatly the Father.  This is a good reply to a tough situation.

Dear Lord, we may not always see when we are put to the test.  We may not realize that in this moment now, You would like to see us move out in faith.  Please steel our hearts.  Fix the eyes of our soul upon You.  Show us how to look beyond all the externals of the situation and bring ourselves into contact with You.  Let that encounter please You and honor You.  Let us stand out on our simple faith and dependence upon You today.

Amen