Waiting Is Tough, Be Persistent

We must be persistent! I have learned from experience that “God is rarely early, but never late.” The Canaanite woman and a little dog named Ella both reinforce this lesson for me.

“A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me . . . So his disciples came to him and urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us’ . . . Jesus 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.’”

“God is rarely early, but never late.”

The Canaanite woman repeatedly asked Jesus for help. Even after he had seemingly turned her away, she was persistent. We can learn many things from this woman of faith.  First, Jesus’ affirmation of her faith. The message: prayers are answered when we don’t give up quickly. Second, we learn that we should not throw in the towel too quickly. When God seems to be silent or even to indicate a “No” answer, we must persist.

Waiting Is Difficult

I understand that waiting is difficult. Some wait for the perfect life-partner to walk into their lives. Some wait for a healing touch as they suffer with an illness. Others wait for peace as they pray for a loved one who is struggling with loss. Waiting means that events aren’t’ within our control. However, waiting doesn’t mean that things are out of control. We can relax and know that God has got this. We can submit to his timing and trust God in our time of waiting.

A Squeaking Dog

Lizzy and I have a very small, mostly blind dog. Ella is old. She has been a family pet for her entire 17 years. These days, she is more dependent on us than ever. She has to wait on our timing. She wakes up from her nap and wants down from the couch. In the past, she would have jumped down… not now. She has to wait. She stands at the edge of the couch, considering taking the leap. It makes her anxious as she remembers hurting her leg the last time she tried it. So, she calls out for help with a few squeaks. She rarely barks anymore. Her squeaks are requests for help, more polite than demanding.

I could call out, “Ella, I hear you,” but she is mostly deaf too. So, I just show up and lift her off of the couch. I wish squeaking was all I did when I become impatient, waiting for God. Instead, I throw in the towel too quickly and start to make accusations. God why have you abandoned me? When will you come to my rescue? I wish, like the Canaanite woman and Ella, that my trust would allow me to persistently present my requests to the God who loves me, and trust his timing.

Persistent Faith

What is meant when Jesus says, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs?” No, this comment was not directed at Ella. The Canaanite woman was not one of God’s chosen people. Jesus was showing us that who we are is less important than our faith.

We need faith in the one who can change things. Granting her request was breaking all the rules. However, because of her faith, he did it anyway.The main lesson for us is “Be Persistent!” Keep squeaking, like Ella, and God will hear you. Whether you are waiting for a lift off the couch, for the perfect spouse, or a healing touch, trust that God has not abandoned you and will show up in his perfect timing.

“Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.” 

Matthew 15:22-28

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

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