Crumbs?
“Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.’”
Matthew 15:21-22 (NLT)
The size of your success in life will depend on the size of the things that discourage you. Many times, we encounter obstacles that test our faith and determination. How quickly do you get discouraged? What things stop you? Losing a job, financial struggles, betrayal, disappointment in the church, a broken relationship… All these can be disheartening, but the key question is: Will you give up, or will you persist?
In the Bible, we find a mother who faced multiple barriers while seeking healing for her daughter. She could have given up, but her faith led her to persist, and Jesus responded to her cry.
Rejection
- The Syrophoenician woman came to Jesus for help, but at first, He remained silent (Matthew 15:23).
- Many times, we feel like God is not responding right away. In those moments, do we keep believing, or do we get discouraged?
- Her faith was not dependent on an immediate response but on her trust in Jesus’ power.
Shame
- The disciples asked Jesus to send her away because her pleas were bothering them.
- Sometimes, society or even people within the church can make us feel unworthy of approaching God.
- But she did not let shame stop her.
Offense
- Jesus said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (Matthew 15:26, NKJV).
- His words could have offended her and made her leave, but she did not focus on the apparent offense—she focused on the opportunity.
- Instead of reacting with anger, she responded with humility and faith: “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
Jesus was amazed by her faith and granted her the miracle: “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at that very moment.
Conclusion
- Persist – Even when answers don’t come immediately, don’t give up.
- Ignore – Don’t let rejection, shame, or offense keep you from your miracle.
- Have faith – Even if there are only “crumbs,” God can work miracles with the little you have.
“O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Matthew 15:28 (NKJV)
Think About It:
- How many times have you been discouraged because God didn’t answer in your timing?
- What obstacles have tried to stop your faith? How can you face them with perseverance?
- What miracle do you believe God can do in your life, even if all you see are “crumbs”?