The Bible has this passage about this one Gentile woman who refused to take no for an answer from the LORD JESUS. She was desperate in need of JESUS to heal her daughter. We learn from her example that when we are in desperate situations our faith becomes violent, and it refuses to give up. And when we are in desperate situations and take a leap of faith, as GOD sees our desperation and our faith, HE releases miracles into our lives.
In the book of Matthew chapter 15 verses 22 to 28 from the Passion Bible translation, Scripture says that, "Then JESUS left and went north into the non-Jewish region of Lebanon. HE encountered there a Canaanite woman who shouted out to HIM, “LORD, Son of David, show mercy to me. My daughter is horribly afflicted by a demon that torments her.” But JESUS never answered her. So HIS disciples said to HIM, “Why do you ignore this woman who is crying out to us?” JESUS said, “I’ve only been sent to the lost sheep of Israel.” But she came and bowed down before HIM and said, “LORD, help me.” JESUS responded, “It’s not right for a man to take bread from his children and throw it out to the dogs.” “You’re right, LORD,” she replied. “But even puppies get to eat the crumbs that fall from the Prince’s table.” Then JESUS answered her, “Dear woman, your faith is strong. What you desire will be done for you.” And at that very moment, her daughter was instantly set free from demonic torment.”
Most people would be offended if someone calls them dogs. But to my amazement, even the LORD JESUS amazement, this Lebanon Gentile woman because she was desperate, she responded to JESUS with her violent persistent faith that even JESUS said "woman your faith is strong." She was so determined and she put her faith into motion to the point that the LORD JESUS couldn't not refuse to answer her.
First, the disciples said, LORD, tell her to go away, she is bothering us with all her begging. Not her request, but her begging. And then the LORD answered her politely that He was not sent for her. And guess what, she still didn't take no for answer, the Bible says, she pleaded again and said "LORD, help me." And then the answer after that was even more discouraging, but yet she refused to give up and took no for an answer.
Sometimes what we need to do is to refuse to give up until we get answers to our prayers. Imagine what would have happened if she took the first no for an answer?
There is this key from the Word Of GOD that the LORD JESUS mentioned in the book of Matthew chapter 7 verses 7 and 8, about getting what we want. We need to continually persist, until we get the promise or the answer to what we are looking for.
The key Bible passage says “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.
When you are unsatisfied with the answer, like this Gentile Lebanon woman, it means that you haven't found what you are looking for. She told the LORD JESUS, even if she was a dog; she deserved to eat the scraps that fall beneath her masters’ table. In other words, I'm not taking no for answer. Now, that is a violent faith.
Usually some people give up just before they get their miracles for various reasons. As we have seen with this woman, the rejection to get her miracle was because she was non-Jewish, and at the time the Grace and Salvation Of GOD was not yet extended to the Gentiles or the non-Jewish. But this woman believed in the LORD JESUS. Therefore, her faith moved JESUS to deliver and healed her daughter.
In the book of Proverbs chapter 26 verse 11, it says "Fools are famous for repeating their errors, like dogs are known to return to their vomit."
The LORD JESUS used dogs and pigs as representative of those who would ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the Gospel once it is presented to them. Those who will trample it and return to their own evil ways. Repeating sharing the Gospel with someone who continually scoffs and ridicules the LORD JESUS is like casting pearls before swine.
All of these blessings, spiritually, emotionally, and physically healing and deliverance, that we are desperate for can be easily found as we get in right standing with GOD. When we believe and accept the LORD JESUS CHRIST as our LORD and SAVIOR that is the first step we can start tapping into this food.
In the book of Matthew chapter 6 verses 30 to 33, it says that the first thing to do is to seek GOD, HIS Kingdom, and HIS Righteousness, and as we do that all these things we need will follow. We don't even have to beg for them.
The Bible passage says "But if GOD so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will HE not much more clothe you? You of little faith. Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your Heavenly FATHER knows that you need them. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) HIS Kingdom and HIS Righteousness [HIS way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of GOD], and all these things will be given to you also."
We need to seek GOD, HIS Kingdom, and HIS Righteousness so we can know HIM, HIS Righteousness, and how HIS Kingdom works. The LORD JESUS said in the book of John Chapter 17 verse 3, “Now this is Eternal Life: that they know YOU, the Only TRUE GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, Whom YOU have sent.”
And as we get in right standing with GOD and develop an intimate relationship with HIM, we call on GOD for help. There is something about a violent faith that touches the heart of GOD. We see this violent faith again in the life of the blind Bartimaeus in the book of Mark chapter 10 verses 46 to 52.
Sometimes what we need to do is to refuse to give up until we get answers to our prayers. Imagine what would have happened if she took the first no for an answer?
There is this key from the Word Of GOD that the LORD JESUS mentioned in the book of Matthew chapter 7 verses 7 and 8, about getting what we want. We need to continually persist, until we get the promise or the answer to what we are looking for.
The key Bible passage says “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.
When you are unsatisfied with the answer, like this Gentile Lebanon woman, it means that you haven't found what you are looking for. She told the LORD JESUS, even if she was a dog; she deserved to eat the scraps that fall beneath her masters’ table. In other words, I'm not taking no for answer. Now, that is a violent faith.
Usually some people give up just before they get their miracles for various reasons. As we have seen with this woman, the rejection to get her miracle was because she was non-Jewish, and at the time the Grace and Salvation Of GOD was not yet extended to the Gentiles or the non-Jewish. But this woman believed in the LORD JESUS. Therefore, her faith moved JESUS to deliver and healed her daughter.
This woman didn't stop to persuading the LORD when she didn't get the answer she wanted the first time. She refused to quit, and as a result GOD answered her. She saw the LORD JESUS answered other people prayers and she was not willing to back down.
Sometimes GOD maybe testing you and me to see how much we really want to be healed and delivered. The LORD JESUS said, the food was for the children. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs. The word food here meant healing and deliverance. Why did HE said it wasn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs? Its because we usually hesitate to give or offer something valuable to someone who does not understand its value. They won't appreciate it.
In the book of Proverbs chapter 26 verse 11, it says "Fools are famous for repeating their errors, like dogs are known to return to their vomit."
In the book of 2 Peter chapter 2 verse 22, it says "They become illustrations of the true proverb: A dog will return to his own vomit and a washed pig to its rolling in the mud."
Its the similar thing the LORD JESUS said in the book of Matthew chapter 7 verse 6, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."
The LORD JESUS said the food is for the children. GOD saves the best HE has to give for HIS Children. GOD is looking for a relationship with you and me. HE said the food is for the children. And if you are not on the children portion, then you will eat the scraps that fall beneath the masters' table. So those who fellowship with GOD and have intimate relationship with HIM as their Heavenly FATHER, they are the ones the food is saved for.
All of these blessings, spiritually, emotionally, and physically healing and deliverance, that we are desperate for can be easily found as we get in right standing with GOD. When we believe and accept the LORD JESUS CHRIST as our LORD and SAVIOR that is the first step we can start tapping into this food.
In the book of Matthew chapter 6 verses 30 to 33, it says that the first thing to do is to seek GOD, HIS Kingdom, and HIS Righteousness, and as we do that all these things we need will follow. We don't even have to beg for them.
The Bible passage says "But if GOD so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will HE not much more clothe you? You of little faith. Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your Heavenly FATHER knows that you need them. But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) HIS Kingdom and HIS Righteousness [HIS way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of GOD], and all these things will be given to you also."
We need to seek GOD, HIS Kingdom, and HIS Righteousness so we can know HIM, HIS Righteousness, and how HIS Kingdom works. The LORD JESUS said in the book of John Chapter 17 verse 3, “Now this is Eternal Life: that they know YOU, the Only TRUE GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, Whom YOU have sent.”
And as we get in right standing with GOD and develop an intimate relationship with HIM, we call on GOD for help. There is something about a violent faith that touches the heart of GOD. We see this violent faith again in the life of the blind Bartimaeus in the book of Mark chapter 10 verses 46 to 52.
The Bible passage records that "JESUS and HIS disciples went to Jericho. And as they were leaving, they were followed by a large crowd. A blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting beside the road. When he heard that it was JESUS from Nazareth, he shouted, “JESUS, Son of David, have pity on me.” Many people told the man to stop, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, have pity on me.” JESUS stopped and said, “Call him over.” They called out to the blind man and said, “Don’t be afraid. Come on. HE is calling for you.” The man threw off his coat as he jumped up and ran to JESUS. JESUS asked, “What do you want ME to do for you?” The blind man answered, “MASTER, I want to see.” JESUS told him, “You may go. Your eyes are healed because of your faith.” Right away the man could see, and he went down the road with JESUS."
When blind Bartimaeus was shouting and crying “JESUS, Son of David, have pity on me.” Guess what? Other people were telling him to stop. But Scriptures says "Bartimaeus shouted even louder."
Sometimes we have got to be like Bartimaeus, we have got to make sure our voices are louder to the LORD'S ears than our opponents' noises, and all other barriers in our lives. Don't mind who wants you to back down.
Your opponents may try to stop you, your challenges may try to hinder to get your breakthrough, but look to The LORD JESUS. Put your focus only on GOD. Our violent faith can touch GOD to stop in the midst of the crowd and head over into our direction.
Another example is of this woman in the Bible who had an issue of blood for twelve years. And Scriptures say before she heard about the LORD JESUS CHRIST, she spent all her money looking for help from elsewhere. And what I love about her encounter with the LORD JESUS is that she heard about the reports of the LORD JESUS and that as HE was passing by, she made sure, that one encounter of a lifetime opportunity did not pass her by that day even if there was a big crowd she had to penetrate in order to get to the LORD JESUS. And the story says she came up behind the LORD JESUS CHRIST in the crowd and touched HIS outer robe for she thought, if she just touched HIS clothing, she will get well.
In the book of Mark chapter 5 verses 21 to 34, it says that "When JESUS had again crossed over in the boat to the other side [of the sea], a large crowd gathered around HIM; and so HE stayed by the seashore. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up; and seeing HIM, fell at HIS feet and begged anxiously with HIM, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; [please] come and lay Your Hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.” And JESUS went with him; and a large crowd followed HIM and pressed in around HIM [from all sides].
A woman [in the crowd] had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much [suffering] at the hands of many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse. She had heard [reports] about JESUS, and she came up behind HIM in the crowd and touched HIS outer robe. For she thought, “If I just touch HIS clothing, I will get well.” Immediately her flow of blood was dried up; and she felt in her body [and knew without any doubt] that she was healed of her suffering. Immediately JESUS, recognizing in HIMSELF that Power had gone out from HIM, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched MY clothes?” HIS disciples said to HIM, “YOU see the crowd pressing in around YOU [from all sides], and YOU ask, ‘Who touched ME?’” Still HE kept looking around to see the woman who had done it. And the woman, though she was afraid and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before HIM and told HIM the whole truth. Then HE said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in ME] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.”
She was very determined to get her healing. This is a woman who have tried everything and sought healing from many physicians and spent all she had, but yet she still didn’t give up. The Bible says she had endured much [suffering] at the hands of many physicians. And she had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse. She refused to give up. Imagine if she heard about the LORD JESUS CHRIST and said “Did that, and done that. This is just one of them physicians.” But no, something in her really believed about the LORD JESUS. The Bible says she thought if she could just penetrate to just even touch The LORD JESUS clothing, she would get well. And guess what? When she did it, miracle happened. Now, that is a violent touch and faith because even the LORD JESUS asked “Who touched me when HE recognized in HIMSELF that power had gone out from HIM?” This woman faith was silent but very strong.
And I like what the LORD JESUS answered her. HE called her daughter. “He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in ME] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.” She was Abraham descendant, and she knew who she was and she released her faith.
GOD is a GOD of faith. In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6, it says “And without faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who approaches HIM must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek HIM.”
Heavenly FATHER GOD, help our lives from now on to have faith that is violent, the faith that persevere and refuse to give up and take no for answer, this I pray in the MIGHTY NAME Of The LORD JESUS CHRIST. Amen.
When blind Bartimaeus was shouting and crying “JESUS, Son of David, have pity on me.” Guess what? Other people were telling him to stop. But Scriptures says "Bartimaeus shouted even louder."
Sometimes we have got to be like Bartimaeus, we have got to make sure our voices are louder to the LORD'S ears than our opponents' noises, and all other barriers in our lives. Don't mind who wants you to back down.
Your opponents may try to stop you, your challenges may try to hinder to get your breakthrough, but look to The LORD JESUS. Put your focus only on GOD. Our violent faith can touch GOD to stop in the midst of the crowd and head over into our direction.
Another example is of this woman in the Bible who had an issue of blood for twelve years. And Scriptures say before she heard about the LORD JESUS CHRIST, she spent all her money looking for help from elsewhere. And what I love about her encounter with the LORD JESUS is that she heard about the reports of the LORD JESUS and that as HE was passing by, she made sure, that one encounter of a lifetime opportunity did not pass her by that day even if there was a big crowd she had to penetrate in order to get to the LORD JESUS. And the story says she came up behind the LORD JESUS CHRIST in the crowd and touched HIS outer robe for she thought, if she just touched HIS clothing, she will get well.
In the book of Mark chapter 5 verses 21 to 34, it says that "When JESUS had again crossed over in the boat to the other side [of the sea], a large crowd gathered around HIM; and so HE stayed by the seashore. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up; and seeing HIM, fell at HIS feet and begged anxiously with HIM, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; [please] come and lay Your Hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.” And JESUS went with him; and a large crowd followed HIM and pressed in around HIM [from all sides].
A woman [in the crowd] had [suffered from] a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much [suffering] at the hands of many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse. She had heard [reports] about JESUS, and she came up behind HIM in the crowd and touched HIS outer robe. For she thought, “If I just touch HIS clothing, I will get well.” Immediately her flow of blood was dried up; and she felt in her body [and knew without any doubt] that she was healed of her suffering. Immediately JESUS, recognizing in HIMSELF that Power had gone out from HIM, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched MY clothes?” HIS disciples said to HIM, “YOU see the crowd pressing in around YOU [from all sides], and YOU ask, ‘Who touched ME?’” Still HE kept looking around to see the woman who had done it. And the woman, though she was afraid and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before HIM and told HIM the whole truth. Then HE said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in ME] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.”
She was very determined to get her healing. This is a woman who have tried everything and sought healing from many physicians and spent all she had, but yet she still didn’t give up. The Bible says she had endured much [suffering] at the hands of many physicians. And she had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse. She refused to give up. Imagine if she heard about the LORD JESUS CHRIST and said “Did that, and done that. This is just one of them physicians.” But no, something in her really believed about the LORD JESUS. The Bible says she thought if she could just penetrate to just even touch The LORD JESUS clothing, she would get well. And guess what? When she did it, miracle happened. Now, that is a violent touch and faith because even the LORD JESUS asked “Who touched me when HE recognized in HIMSELF that power had gone out from HIM?” This woman faith was silent but very strong.
And I like what the LORD JESUS answered her. HE called her daughter. “He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in ME] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.” She was Abraham descendant, and she knew who she was and she released her faith.
GOD is a GOD of faith. In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6, it says “And without faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who approaches HIM must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek HIM.”
Heavenly FATHER GOD, help our lives from now on to have faith that is violent, the faith that persevere and refuse to give up and take no for answer, this I pray in the MIGHTY NAME Of The LORD JESUS CHRIST. Amen.
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