Day 27 — Faith That Wouldn’t Quit

“‘O woman,’ Jesus answered, ‘your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”

— Matthew 15:28 (BSB)

A woman from the region of Canaan came to Jesus, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Her daughter was suffering terribly, and she was desperate for help.

She wasn’t Jewish. She came from a people who had been enemies of Israel for a very long time. By the rules of the day, she had no right to ask Jesus for anything.

At first, Jesus didn’t say a word. The disciples were annoyed. “Send her away,” they said. “She keeps crying out after us.”

But she didn’t give up. She came and knelt in front of Jesus and said simply, “Lord, help me!”

Then Jesus said something that sounds strange to us. He told her that His mission was first to the people of Israel, and He used a saying: it isn’t right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.

That might sound harsh. But many people believe Jesus was testing her faith, and giving her a chance to show it to everyone watching, especially the disciples who wanted to send her away.

And she answered with amazing faith and humility: “Yes, Lord, even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

In other words, I know I don’t deserve anything. But even a crumb of Your power would be enough to heal my daughter.

And Jesus said, “O woman, your faith is great!” And her daughter was healed that very hour.

This mother’s faith wouldn’t quit. When Jesus was silent, she kept asking. When the disciples wanted her gone, she stayed. When the answer seemed like no, she kept trusting.

Sometimes when we pray, it feels like God is silent. Sometimes it feels like the answer is no. But this brave mother shows us: keep coming to Jesus. Keep asking. Keep trusting. Jesus loves faith that won’t quit.

Think about it: What do you think made this woman keep asking, even when it seemed like Jesus wasn’t answering?

Try this: Is there a prayer you’ve stopped praying because nothing seemed to happen? Start praying it again today, with faith that won’t quit.

Dear Jesus, give me faith like this brave mother’s, faith that won’t quit. When it feels like You’re silent, help me keep asking and keep trusting. Thank You that You love to answer faith. In Your name, Amen.