Pursue Him

From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed (Mark 7:24-30).

How many of us are desperate for God? Desperate enough that when we receive an unexpected response it does not dissuade us. How many of us would have continued to pursue God if we received a response like this woman? Did Jesus just make reference to her as a dog? Did He just place priority with the Jews over the Gentiles? Did He just dismiss her? The woman cared not for her position, status, ego, or opinion of others. She wanted Jesus of Nazareth. She wanted the Man she knew could heal her daughter. By faith this woman knew that Jesus was well able to see and answer her plea. " Yes Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs" (vs 28). Then He said to her "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter" (vs 29).

I encourage you not to be discouraged if you feel like God has dealt you an answer that you were not looking for. In life, there can be circumstances which brings us to our knees. And they can bring us to utter dependence on God, if we allow them to. Seek after God with all of your being. Do not let status, pride, prestige or self-opinion stand in your way of pursuing Him. Be desperate for Him. Once you seek Him, He will be found.

Prayer

I pursue You God, I am desperate for You. Forgive me for letting pride stand in the way of being totally dependent on You. I invite You into my life. Change my circumstances, take complete control and I surrender to You and Your will. I need You this day, be not far from me. Thank You for hearing and answering my cry. In Jesus name. Amen.