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A Mother's Faith
Text: Mat. 15:21 - 28
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, 0 woman, great is thy faith: be
it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from
that very hour.—Matthew 15:28.
The Word of God places strong emphasis on faith. Salvation is by faith
in Christ: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. . .
Not only are we saved by faith, but we are exhorted to walk by faith
and not by sight.
Victorious living is accomplished by faith: "For whatsoever is born of
God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith" (I John 5:4).
Jesus said great blessings belong to those who have faith: "If thou
canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
In our prayer life we must have faith: ". . .let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering
Yes, faith is the indispensable element in our relationship to God.
The writer of Hebrews declares: "But without faith it is impossible to
please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (11:6).
The story of a mother s faith is before us in our Scripture reading.
Here is a divine record of the accomplishment of faith. The story is
given in three parts.
I. A MOTHER'S TROUBLE
The trouble of a child is a mother's trouble. This woman of
Syrophoenicia had a daughter "vexed with a devil," a trouble of the
worst sort.
Though the child had a terrible sickness, the mother loved her
daughter still. Afflictions do not dissolve affections. Rather, often
affection grows when there is trouble.
In trouble the mother turned to Jesus.
It is always wise to turn to the Saviour in the hour of trouble.
The heart cry of this mother is given in verse 25, "Lord, help me."
In her need she prayed to the point. She experienced no difficulty in
expressing her need and heart's desire.
Mother's prayers are often heard because they pray as true
intercessors, identifying themselves with their children.
And so we see a mother in serious trouble—her child was sick. It was
wise for this mother to turn to Jesus.
II. A MOTHER'S TESTING
This mother had a great faith, but she faced great testing. She made
her cry to Jesus, but the answer did not come at once. There were many
things to test her faith.
1. The Lord' s silence. She cried unto Him saying, "Have mercy on me,
0 Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a
devil."
The record say's "he answered her not a word."
His silence was not unconcern. He was testing her faith, as was
sometimes our Lord's method. Remember how He put clay on the blind
man's eyes and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. Jesus
could have healed with a word, but He believed in giving a test to the
faith.
The Lord sometimes delays His answers to our prayers in order to test,
then to establish our faith.
It was so with Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus died. Jesus
delayed, and they wondered at His absence and silence. But finally He
appeared and brought a great blessing.
2. Discourtesy of the disciples. "And his disciples came and besought
him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us."
Between the silence of Jesus and the lack of compassion of His
followers, her faith was severely tested.
The conduct of many of the Lord's disciples is more likely to drive
away than to attract.
The disciples did not understand the Lord's silence, and they thought
that He did not care. Though they had been with Him for three years,
they still did not know much about Jesus.
III. A MOTHER'S TRIUMPH
Faith gives the victory. Nothing stopped this mother. She had faith in
Christ and persistence to keep knocking at the door.
This woman possessed two wonderful characteristics: humility and
faith.
She was willing to take a humble place, and her faith was unwavering.
In the end she received more than she asked for. She was commended by
the Lord for her faith: "0 woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee
even as thou wilt. . . ."
Her story of faith is written down for the whole world to read. Jesus
did not commend her for her arguments, her patience nor her love, but
for her faith.
Finally, she was rewarded by the healing of her daughter:
"And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." Her prayer was
answered, her faith rewarded.
We need more mothers who will bring Him their troubles and needs, then
there would be more sons and daughters saved.
Here is real encouragement for mothers who have prayed long and
earnestly for their children. Though the years have gone by, don't be
discouraged—silence is not unconcern.
Jesus kept this mother waiting, but His grant was above her
expectations.
Faith was the key that unlocked the blessings which she needed.
Mother's continue to pray for that son and daughter who are still
walking in the ways of sin.
Be not weary in well doing, for in due season you will reap if you
faint not.
WE ONLY
TEACH AND PREACH FROM THE KING JAMES BIBLE
"For the word of God is quick,
and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
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