WRESTLING WITH GOD: A CANAANITE WOMAN
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Wrestling with God
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days;”
a) There are times in life when we are faced with situations that seem dark; Situations that cause us to question our faith in the promises that we have received from God’s Word. Sometimes we struggle with circumstances in the world that cause us to be distracted away from God as we try to battle and win by our own efforts. Even struggles with our own flesh can become a battle that causes us to focus more on our internal war than on God. But our struggle should not be with these things for the battle is the Lord’s. Our struggle should be focused on holding on to God and His Word no matter how dark, and no matter how hopeless, the situation seems. Clinging to God with all perseverance is a part of loving Him.
2. A Canaanite woman
a) One day Jesus encountered a Canaanite woman who wanted Him to deliver her daughter from demons. At first Jesus seemed to ignore her. How often it seems like God does not hear your prayers, but even this may be a trial to see how long will you persevere.
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” (Mat 15:22-23 NIV)
b) Jesus then tested her faith with insults, even calling her a dog.
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” (Mat 15:24-26 NIV)
c) But the woman persevered holding on to Jesus through it all and as she humbled herself before Him she was then ready to receive her blessing.
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Mat 15:27-28 NIV)
d) If we allow ourselves to become offended at the circumstances that God allows us to go through we will end up letting go of God and even turn away from Him. It is pride, which causes us to be offended. Pride is easily offended, but humility is never offended. Pride causes us to let go of God; humility causes us to cling to God.
The End ...
1. Wrestling with God Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days;”
a) There are times in life when we are faced with situations that seem dark; Situations that cause us to question our faith in the promises that we have received from God’s Word. Sometimes we struggle with circumstances in the world that cause us to be distracted away from God as we try to battle and win by our own efforts. Even struggles with our own flesh can become a battle that causes us to focus more on our internal war than on God. But our struggle should not be with these things for the battle is the Lord’s. Our struggle should be focused on holding on to God and His Word no matter how dark, and no matter how hopeless, the situation seems. Clinging to God with all perseverance is a part of loving Him.
2. A Canaanite woman
a) One day Jesus encountered a Canaanite woman who wanted Him to deliver her daughter from demons. At first Jesus seemed to ignore her. How often it seems like God does not hear your prayers, but even this may be a trial to see how long will you persevere.
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” (Mat 15:22-23 NIV)
b) Jesus then tested her faith with insults, even calling her a dog.
He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” (Mat 15:24-26 NIV)
c) But the woman persevered holding on to Jesus through it all and as she humbled herself before Him she was then ready to receive her blessing.
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Mat 15:27-28 NIV)
d) If we allow ourselves to become offended at the circumstances that God allows us to go through we will end up letting go of God and even turn away from Him. It is pride, which causes us to be offended. Pride is easily offended, but humility is never offended. Pride causes us to let go of God; humility causes us to cling to God.
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