July 20 - Great Faith

Matthew 15: 21-28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. (Matthew 15:28 ESV)

When the Canaanite woman approached Jesus seeking deliverance for her daughter a very interesting exchange took place. The disciples wanted to send her away because of her persistence. She threw herself at Jesus' feet, pleading for his help and he was moved by her faith.

The Canaanite woman had faith that Jesus would help her daughter. In the face opposition and unlikelihood she persisted. And her faith was met with the miraculous.

I don't know that we can change things based on our personal levels of faith. Perhaps we can, but Im just not sure. I don't think that kind of power lies with us. I believe it to rest firmly in the hands of God. I do believe that God gets a special kind of glory and worship when we persist in our belief. I find that in times of difficulty I sometimes actually feel closer to him as I learn to lean into Him with belief and faith that He will carry me through.

Small faith is easy to come by, at least for me. Not because I am anything special, I just have a lifetime of practicing it. Great faith is another matter altogether. It takes an intimate level of commitment and consideration to invest yourself in great faith. The closer I am to God, the easier I find it to entrust my big stuff to show care.