FAITH AND WORSHIP

Thursday, January 9th 2025
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil (Matthew 15:22).

In our last two studies, we reviewed two important mysteries about prayer: lifting up of our hands and praying in the night watches. There’s also another mystery about prayer that has to do with faith and worship. I’ll explain this with an intriguing story in the Bible.

In Matthew 15:22, we read about a woman of Canaan who cried out to Jesus for help. The situation was dire; her daughter was afflicted by a demon, and the physicians couldn’t help. Despite her desperate plea, the Lord Jesus initially remained silent. Verse 23 says, “…he answered her not a word….” The Master’s silence didn’t deter the woman as she remained importunate.

The disciples, uncomfortable by the Master’s silence, urged Him to rather send the woman away because she was causing a disturbance. Finally, the Lord spoke, saying, “…l am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Undeterred, the woman decided to add worship to her faith-request; the Bible says she came and worshipped Jesus, saying, “…Lord, help me” (Matthew 15:25).

At that moment, the conversation shifted; Jesus then responded with a seemingly strong statement: “…It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs” (Matthew 15:26). Yet unmoved, the woman still expressed her faith saying, “…Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table” (Matthew 15:27). Her response was a demonstration of great faith and humility.

In verse 28, Jesus commended her; saying, “…O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt….” Her daughter was healed from that very hour. This story reveals a profound lesson: worship can be the key that unlocks divine responses when it seems like there’s silence from God. The woman’s persistent faith and worship led to her miracle.

Have you ever prayed and it seemed like you weren’t hearing anything from the Lord? You’re wishing you could hear from God and it seems as though there’s no response? Do what the woman did. In faith, worship the Lord profusely and sincerely, and you’ll get a response. Hallelujah!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I worship and adore you, the everlasting King of glory, the only wise and true God, gracious, holy, righteous, pure and kind. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the majesty and the splendour! You’re exalted as head over all, and l extol your majesty and praise you for your blessings and wondrous works in my life and in all the earth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY
|| John 4:23-24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth. ||

|| Matthew 15:22-28 NKJV
And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw [it] to the little dogs.” 27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great [is] your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. ||

|| Hebrews 11:6
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. ||

|| Psalm 34:1
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth. ||

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Matthew 7:7-29 & Genesis 23-24

2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Matthew 5:1-10 & Genesis 9

Extract From Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional

Hello Beloved.
Have a blessed today!

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