Walking With Jesus (Perseverance)Sample

Do not give up!

Matthew 15:21-28 tells us about great faith and extraordinary perseverance. Not all believers have both characters.  Often when nothing happens after praying about it, we believe that God is saying no, and because of that, we turn our attention to something else. We give up and get discouraged easily. We easily back down. The answer to that prayer may be already at the door. 

The word of God today shows us how wrong our attitude has been. We think that we have faith when in reality, our faith is not big enough. True faith must be based on truth. The Canaanite woman who was not a Jew recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David. That's the truth. She did not ask this from Jesus in His capacity as a shaman or a wise man; she asked this from Jesus as God's Anointed One. She built her true endurance based on the truth that she believed. She cried out to Jesus, begged Him, spoke to Him, humbled herself, and honored Him. Because of the woman's faith and perseverance, Jesus cast out the demon that possessed her daughter's body.

Christ is looking for that kind of faith and passion in us so that we can keep moving forward in our spiritual life, regardless of what lies before us. Perseverance and determination are qualities that arise in those committed to something or someone they believe. Every obstacle becomes a challenge to keep going. Keep pursuing the truth and live by it. Trust that God wants to answer our prayers and expects us to come with the sincerity, faith, and even determination that the Canaanite woman had.

The kind of faith that produces perseverance is what we need to have and build. Don't give up because of the weight of the pressure. Faith is worth fighting for, and the results will not disappoint us.

Reflection:

1. Who is Jesus Christ to you?

2. Under what circumstances do you easily give up? What causes you to give up easily?

Application: 

Keep seeking the truth and praying until you get the answer.