However, the people who are living in the land are fierce,
and the towns are fortified and very strong.
Besides, we saw descendants of the Anakim there.
Amalekites live in the region of the Negeb;
Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites dwell in the highlands,
and Canaanites along the seacoast and the banks of the Jordan.
It is all too easy to focus on the myriad enemies arrayed against us. It is too easy to focus on the wind and the waves. But if we need to lift our eyes up to the LORD from whom comes our help and salvation. If we only look at the enemy armies we do not avail ourselves of the divine help we need. Worse, we snub the LORD who always offers us his protection and aid.
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:
"How long will this wicked assembly grumble against me?
Instead, let us imitate the faith of the Canaanite woman who allows no circumstance distract her from her focus on Jesus.
His disciples came and asked him,
"Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us."
People try to turn her away but she persists.
He said in reply,
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
Wouldn't we turn around and go home when we heard something like this? But the woman knows something deeper than understanding of that sentence can yield. She senses the healing power in the hand of Jesus and the love that is in his eye. Even when she is called a dog she persists.
She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
It is her humility that allows her to receive from Jesus. The people of Israel are just prideful enough to insist on measuring the enemy against themselves. If the woman focused more on the circumstances or her own pride or even her own understanding she would not continue to pursue Jesus. But looking at him with faith she persists.
Then Jesus said to her in reply,
"O woman, great is your faith!
Let it be done for you as you wish."
And her daughter was healed from that hour.
This is the example and challenge for us. When things seem impossible we can still come to Jesus and plead for the scraps that fall from the table. We may think we've heard no. But have we? Did we understand a negative where there was still room for faith to find a way?
Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.
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