Prayer

Forgiveness First

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Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Matthew 18:21

In answer to his question, Jesus told  a story about a king who forgave a servant. Though the servant in Jesus’ story got things all wrong let’s take a look at what he could have gotten right.

The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’  Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt  Matthew 18:26-27

Just as in our Christian lives, this man’s relationship to the king began by and was entirely based on the forgiveness of his king. Everything hinged on the king’s choice to forgive and accept. Sadly this servant tried right away to make things right by his own efforts Notice he says, “I will pay all.” How many of us determine that we will somehow make it up to God, when in fact we could never ever even in millions of years ever pay God back for all He has done for us!

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Our forgiveness is complete! The Bible tells us that the king “released him and forgave him the debt” His forgiveness was not based upon his ability to repay. Forgiveness wasn’t a business decision with terms of repayment. The debt was not only released but the king also took upon himself the responsibility to pay these debts. That is what Jesus has done. When we really understand His mercy then our hearts will change both towards God and others. When His compassion flows into us we need to allow it to flow out to those who owe us any debt!

Then God Answers

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And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”  Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour

Matthew 15:27-28

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When Jesus said, “Great is your faith!” it is interesting to see that she had two kinds of faith operating here at the same time. The first faith said, “Jesus can heal my daughter.” While the second, “He wants to heal my daughter.”.

Most of us when we are praying believe that God is able to grant our request. God’s ability is tied directly to His existence. If there is a God He is certainly able to do anything. But for us to have the great faith of this woman we must also pass in the dark testing so then we will know His true joy when the ray of hope breaks through

In spite of His silence she continued to believe that He was listening. In spite of the discouragement by His disciples she continued to ask. Finally in the face of seeming refusal she continued to believe that Jesus was truly willing to give her the help that she needed.

The source of our answer to our plea for grace is unfailing but it often lies at the bottom of the well of humility. Will you and me, like this woman accept grace on any terms. Will we be willing to take the lowest place possible? It is not that God is out to humiliate us but He is inviting us to a deeper fellowship with Him, who came as a servant of all!

 

When God’s Answer Seems to be NO

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When God’s Answer Seems to Be No!

” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”  

Matthew 15:24-26

Well finally after being ignored and just a little humiliated by the disciples, the woman got an answer from Jesus. But the response was definitely not what she had hoped for. What do we do with our prayers when it seems that on very good scriptural basis we are told that God’s answer for us is “NO!”? In fact, what may hurt the most is not only God’s refusal,  but also His apparent agreement with people who reject us. How could Jesus take the side of those who seem to have such cold and uncaring hearts.  How we choose our to respond in that lowest of moments says everything about who we truly believe our God to be.

p1020539lives? Have we begun to murmur, complain or even point the finger of blame towards Jesus Himself? This Canaanite woman somehow knew that no matter what the outward appearances were, Jesus was in fact both willing and able to heal her daughter and to grant her request and He will hear and answer our prayers today!