DEVOTION - FRIDAY,
OCTOBER 19, 2012
BY
ALISTAIR BEGG
Genuine seekers who as yet have not obtained the blessing may
find comfort in this story. The Savior did not immediately bestow the blessing,
even though the woman had great faith in Him. He intended to give it, but He
waited awhile. "He did not answer her a word." Were her prayers no
good? Never better in the world. Was she not needy? Dreadfully needy. Did she
not feel her
need sufficiently? She felt it overwhelmingly. Was she not sincere enough? She
was intensely so. Did she have no faith? She had such a high degree of it that
even Jesus wondered and said, "O woman, great is your faith!" Notice
then, although it is true that faith brings peace, it does not always bring it
instantaneously. There may be certain reasons for faith to be tested rather
than rewarded.
Genuine faith may be in the soul like a hidden seed, but so far
it may not have budded and blossomed into joy and peace. Silence from the
Savior is the painful trial of many a seeking soul, but heavier still is the
affliction of a harsh, cutting reply such as, "It is not right to take the
children's bread and throw it to the dogs." Many in waiting upon the Lord
find immediate delight, but this is not the case with all. Some, like the
jailer, are in a moment turned from darkness to light, but others are plants of
slower growth.
A deeper sense of sin may be given to you instead of a sense of
pardon, and in such a case you will need patience to bear the heavy blow. Poor
heart, though Christ beat and bruise you, or even slay you, trust Him; even if
He should give you an angry word, believe in the love of His heart. I urge you,
do not give up seeking or trusting my Master because you have not yet obtained
the conscious joy that you long for. Cast yourself on Him, and perseveringly
depend even when you cannot rejoicingly hope
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