Anglican Daily Fountain 11th December 2023 (Devotional Today)
Welcome to Today’s Daily Fountain Devotional of the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Daily Fountain is a daily reading devotional for all Anglicans and Non-Anglicans to read, study, share and discuss the Word of God on a daily basis.
TOPIC: MERCY, NOT ENTITLEMENT
TEXT: Matthew 15:21-28(KJV)
15:21. Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
15:22. 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.
15:23. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
15:24. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
15:25. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
15:26. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
15:27. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
15:28. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Anglican Daily Fountain 11th December 2023 STUDY:
We sometimes approach God with a sense of entitlement as if we truly and in ourselves deserve whatever we seek from Him. While our adoption through Christ gives us the privilege of approaching God as His children, grace brought us to salvation. Ultimately, therefore, we are truly blessed by Him only by mercy. This Canaanite woman came to Jesus knowing she was not ‘qualified’; she came seeking mercy because of her daughter: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David”(v.22). Although Jesus did not initially answer, her persistence paid off eventually.
There are few lessons we can learn here.(i)Even when we are unqualified, mercy triumphs over judgment. Has sin disqualified you from approaching Him? Plead for His mercy in genuine repentance.(ii)The intercessor possesses the power to stand in the gap for someone else (v.22). You can intercede today for someone under the oppression of the enemy. (iii) Persistence in prayers pays off eventually. Even when it looks like Heaven is silent over your case/request, persist! Your desperate need will be met. (iv) Have faith in Christ’s ability. Christ is able to handle all that concerns you. Be encouraged!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive my unbelief and enable me believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.
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