Thursday Devotional - God is With Us in Our Desperation

When was the last time you cried out to God in desperation? 

There have been numerous times I have cried out in desperation, whether it was for the salvation of someone, the healing of a relative, parenting wisdom in a crisis, or while caught in a terrible storm driving or running or climbing Pike’s Peak.

Sometimes it might seem like God isn’t listening, but He always hears and has a plan, just like when the Canaanite woman desperately called out to Jesus to heal her daughter.

Matthew 15:22-28          “A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him [Jesus], crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.’ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’ The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she cried. He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’ ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said. ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”  Matthew 15:22-28

Jesus used this time of desperation in the woman’s life to teach her, the disciples and us today some valuable lessons. So, the next time you and I are desperately crying out to God for help, let’s remember He may have several lessons for us to learn as we await His answer. He isn’t ignoring us, but there with us!

Alice