The Word of Hope

Matthew 15:23 - "But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, 'Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us.'”

Have we become convinced the Lord is the only one to help us, yet we hear not a word from Jesus in this regard? Even worse, is the loud din of those in the church who say, "Just follow Christ from afar! Don't get too close or you will be disappointed!” However, just like the Gentile woman in Matthew we are not to listen to others but keep listening for the "word" from God. Too often, we might give up or give in to others who say miracles are not for today--that Jesus only uses medicine or natural circumstances as contemporary remedies. There will always be the naysayers who are following Jesus on the periphery of faith.

However, when we come and bow down before him as this desperate woman and say "Lord help me!" (verse 25) then all heaven will move on our behalf. Remember, beloved, hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:23). And what is hope? H equals HONEST appraisal of our situation, O equals OPENNESS to whatever it takes to remedy it, P equals PERSEVERANCE or PERSISTENCE to not accept "no" for an answer, and finally E equals EXPECTANCY that it will indeed happen. May we all silence the deafening clamor of those who would suggest otherwise and continue crying out to God until He delivers!